Can I tell you...about Celebr-Asian week at the Target corporation? Every year, the Asian American Business Council of Target hosts a week of events and festivities to celebrate their diverse cultural heritage. This being one of the largest corporations in the US, you can only expect their membership to be quite impressive. Since I was the first accessories designer and Asian American to be a guest designer for the retail giant, the council asked if I would be willing to be their guest speaker for the event. My capsule Holiday / Spring collection, Rafe for Target was such a phenomenal success for them that naturally, the members wanted to know more about me and my Asian heritage. The talk I gave at Boston University certainly warmed me up for this.They set me up at the sleek and newly minted Chambers Hotel in dowtown Minneapolis, a hop and a skip away from their main offices. Let me tell you, the art in this hotel rivals any contemporary gallery in Chelsea.
Designed by the Rockwell group, it features the personal collection of real estate mogul Robert Burnet. Walking in the lobby was like walking into a gallery, not a hotel. I met the council members for dinner at Jean Gorges' Chambers Kitchen. They make their own soda and ice cream. The food , the wine, the desserts and the service were excellent! I can't wait to go back. I got to know some of the members so that made me less nervous about speaking to a crowd.
The next day I walked into a room full people wearing Rafe for Target bags! I thought I died and went to heaven. I showed a little slide presentation about my childhood, my hometown, past collections, photos of the process, celebrity photos, etc. I managed to get the crowd to laugh (always a good sign). At the end of my talk, we raffled a few Rafe for Target and Rafe New York bags and then all the girls formed a line so I could sign the linings of their bags. Other people just wanted my signature on the evite for the event. Each and everyone of them had a little funny story to tell me how much they love their Rafe bag, how they get stopped all the time and get envious side glances. Amazing testimonials.
The best one was by a woman who wanted me to sign the back of a photograph of her son. She said he dreams of becoming a designer one day and after hearing my story about how supportive my mother was of me, she intends to be that kind of mother to her son. That really touched my heart. Who knew I would have this kind of effect on people by doing what I love doing? These are the moments when I really love my job!
