Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Lifson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My name is Anna Lifson and I have been taught the art of imperial Vietnamese silk hand embroidery that has been handed down through generations in my family. My grandmother did this type of embroidery and taught my mother and my mother taught me. Also, I studied the art in high school in my home country.
I grew up in Saigon, Vietnam, which is the center of weaving and sericulture (silkworm production) in Southeast Asia for over a thousand years. I had developed a strong passion for silk weaving, tailoring and hand embroidering since a very young age. I learned how to weave, sew and embroider from my mother when I was 5, and have been using the same tools for the past 37 years.
I love designing and sewing clothing and accessories for women. Each piece of her collection tells a story about a young woman pursuing my dreams, I am carefree and romantic, modern, and yet classic. My passion for color and pattern was inspired by my childhood in Vietnam, my years of education and works in Saigon, and my current life in Chicago, where I am living.
Because in the US, hand embroidery industry is the baby stage. Many of them knew about Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian and British Embroidery but not Vietnamese Hand Embroidery. Even though Chinese and Vietnamese Embroideries are the same, Vietnamese Embroidery have a meditative soul in blending and coordinating colors that will bring soul in our art. Therefore, I started. Because I do not have enough funds, I could not have a specific place.
At present time, I will have the online store. In my goal, I would like to have the national museum of Traditional Hand Embroidery of the US in Chicago. My goal is to bring this ancient, uplifting, traditional art to the U.S. and make it available for both children and adults to learn and be able to create things of beauty for the world to enjoy and benefit from.
I wish to create a combination school, museum, and gallery here in Chicago for that purpose, where people can take classes and art created by students here and in Viet Nam may be viewed and purchased by the public.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it is not because we do not have enough funds to launch and most of Americans do not know how valuable the hand silk embroidery silk painting is. They do not know the silk paintings are their long-term treasure in the future.
Anna Fashion Paradise – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Anna Fashion Paradise, LLC. is the online boutique shops specializing in handcrafted finest silk & hand embroidered fashion clothes & accessories. Our team is made up of highly skilled designers and embroidery artists. We create unique and authentic items. From fashion clothing to homeware, fashion accessories, bed linen, and artworks, we have a rich collection to suit any taste. We are located in Ravenswood community, Chicago, IL.
I am not only the owner, founder but also the hand embroidery master in my store. In addition to this job, I am also a 5+ year SharePoint Analyst. I am most proud of my hand silk embroidery skills and leadership skills as a company. My hand embroidery skills are more outstanding than the others.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I do not need to take any classes at any hand embroidery academy because this was handed down to me through family generations.
Pricing:
- The price is ranged from $25 to over $10,000.
- Hand Embroidered napkins set: $52.95 (free shipping in the US)
- Hand Embroidered scarf: $50 – $400 (free shipping in the US)
- Hand Embroidered Hoop Art: $30 – $150 (Free shipping in the US)
- Hand Embroidered Needle Arts: $150 – $10,000+ (Free shipping in the US)
- Hand Embroidered clothes: $200 – $500 (free shipping in the US)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annafashionparadise.com
- Phone: 773 658 6372
- Email: info@annafashionparadise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annafashionparadise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaFashionParadise/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
