Designs that blend modern fashion with the cultural heritage of the Chin culture of Myanmar have earned a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna a spot on the international stage. Hniang Sung will have two of her garments featured at the International Textiles and Apparel Association’s (ITAA) annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri in November.
The showcase is a major early career success for Sung, who came to the U.S. with her family as a refugee from Myanmar’s Chin State. Her designs are deeply personal, blending her journey as an immigrant and modern fashion.
“It feels like my ideas and culture come to life, and that’s what I’m truly grateful for,” Sung said. “This is a testimony of God’s grace and the support of my family.”
A recent graduate of the fashion design and merchandising program in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Sung took inspiration from traditional items, such as bamboo baskets and Chokhleipar, the flower of the Chin culture in Myanmar.
Her senior collection, which was refined and submitted to the association by her professor and ITAA sponsor Minako McCarthy, will be one of the collections showcased. This highly competitive process has an undergraduate design acceptance rate of 36.5%–making it a milestone for students.
Sung credits her time at UH with helping her grow as a designer and gain confidence, particularly with the support of her mentor, McCarthy. For Sung, having her work accepted for the exhibition means her designs are being recognized on an international level.
“Hniang’s story is inspirational to everyone who came to the U.S. seeking more opportunities and a better life,” McCarthy said. “She overcame incredible hardships, found a community of similar spirits at UH, and has a bright future ahead of her.”
