Almost 20 years of suppression.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. When I was around 11 years old my uncle saw me drawing, and said, “You can’t be a Fashion Designer. That is not a real career.” His words became so ingrained in my psyche that I blocked my dream for years.
It took a very long time (and a looooot of suffering) to remember who I was called to be.
I did what I was “expected” to do. I earned a scholarship to study at the most prestigious university of Mexico. Then, I started my career abroad as a diplomat representing my country in San Francisco, then a career in tech, following the path of the “shoulds,” forgetting myself.
“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
Just zip it for a week.
It wasn't until I became truly miserable that I sought help. My therapist suggested meditation. I was skeptical, so I researched the neuroscience behind it. When I was convinced, I signed up for a week-long silent retreat at Spirit Rock in Marin County. It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. In stillness, the message was clear: I wanted to be a Fashion designer. That one answer propelled me back to my dream, but it also came without instructions, making me feel lost all over again. How am I going to be a fashion designer? What am I going to design? For whom?
A gift from the queer community.
So I dug within again: How am I going to feel inspired? What do I admire? What will keep me daydreaming on this journey? Of course, the trans femme community — and the queer community as a whole — have been the greatest source of awe in my life, and therefore would be my greatest muse.
They showed me the profound joy of embodying the magic of authenticity.
Emi Woo is a reminder.
This project is born from awe and self-love, and also from the pain that self-denial inflicts. Emi Woo is a reminder that the answer is always within you. In your heart, you already know who you are — and even if it is scary to look at, there is a profound reward in embracing yourself.
We don't empower you. We remind you that the power was yours all along.
“Thank you for embodying the power of your most authentic self. You are pure magic!”
