It is not easy to describe a woman as great as Yan-Ting’s mother in such a short story. She is the most highly respected and loved person in Yan-Ting’s life, so we will dedicate this article to her.
Other than tribal natives and some so-called nudists, all human bodies portrayed in history books are covered with something. That is to emphasize in our heritage for future generations that clothing provides some sense of protection and security. Thus, exquisite taste in underwear has had its role in the evolutionary history of human civilization.
Many poignant stories happened during the period in Taiwan’s history in which the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated from Mainland China to Taiwan (around 1950). A great tea merchant gave his quietest daughter away to an old couple who couldn’t produce children themselves. It was unfair to the little girl, because she could have enjoyed the fortune and comfortable life-style of her original family. Adoption in Taiwan during that period was really common. The little girl undertook the many burdens of her tough life in order to help support her new family. After graduating from elementary school, she made the decision to learn a specific competence in order to put food on the table for her family and to help reverse their existing circumstances. She accepted an offer to be an apprentice to a master chemisette maker and for three years and eight months she learned how to make chemisettes at one of Taiwan’s most prosperous companies, called Chun Hua Shopping Malls.
At that time, being an apprentice in such a store meant living like a servant. She was expected to do many odd jobs and chores for her masters while endeavoring to master her craft. All the many challenges Yan-Ting’s mother faced did not beat her down, instead she hardened and strengthened herself and became more determined to succeed. She used her meager savings to learn from different masters and gradually gained recognition from their many customers. Through her hard work, study and application, Yan-Ting’s mother began to develop her abilities and soon started attracting her own customers.
After perfecting her skills and developing an outstanding reputation she got married and opened up her first chemisette store and, although her shop was very small, she dreamed of great success. She would sometimes dream that every stitch would raise the confidence of each woman who bought from her store and that her threads would sew the beauty of their happiness. With her artful creations and good intentions, she made countless chemisettes for her many satisfied customers.
Yan-Ting actually grew up in the little chemisette store. She played underneath the sewing table and matured with the rhythm of the sewing machine. Her mother supported her throughout her childhood with her unique artwork. Yan-Ting is so familiar with what she sees and hears in the chemisette store. It has been in her blood since she was in her mother’s womb. It could be interpreted as the perfect prenatal education. Yan-Ting considers that she has inherited her mother’s spirit and skill and promotes them as her mission in life.
After graduating from the Department of Fashion Design at Shih Chien University, she became the assistant designer for Wacoal (a brand of women’s lingerie). She learned a combination of Western and Eastern sewing skills and tries to merge the elements of the classical beauty of Chinese women with the romantic styles of the West. She researched and analyzed ergonomics and continuously tested, innovated and advanced her art. She made every effort to achieve perfection only to deliver her mother’s great gift and spirit. With her persistent and skillful work, her store “Rawa Designers” became well known and very popular.
Yan-Ting insists on proper measuring and custom sizing. The chemisettes are tailored to fit perfectly to a woman’s figure and provide gentle protection and extreme comfort at the same time. The chemisettes allow ladies to enhance their graceful figures and positive charm. With Yan-Ting’s creations, you don’t have to sacrifice your health for the sake of beauty and an elegant countenance. The author asked Yan-Ting why she still insists on producing only custom-made merchandise. Wouldn’t it be more profitable to produce large quantities at one time? Doesn’t custom making each item raise the cost and lower the profits?
Yan-Ting believes money is a necessary tool for survival but we shouldn’t become slaves to money. “If I don’t live my life the way I want to live, in the way that my mother taught me to live, then where is the difference between an animal and a human being?”
“There are no fingerprints or eyes that are exactly the same. Even twins have their own distinctive features. There aren’t any two exact pairs of breasts. So how can we justify having every single breast sized by cups?”
“Most women have a mistaken concept about the size of their breasts. It’s actually a sign of a lack of confidence. However, if you choose the wrong underwear, it can not only cause great discomfort, but it could also influence your health. Women should dress themselves for more than just vanity and to please men.” Our mind will influence our bodies. Our appearances and bodies reflect the condition of our mind. It is a serious attract to women when we learn that we suffered breast cancers and had to do breast surgeries to keep our lives. Therefore, Rawa Designers devoted themselves to rehabilitate their confidence with customer made chemises. Yan Ting wants to activate these plans in order to give breast cancer patients brilliant confident and hope.
Rawa Designers has been operating for more than 50 years and has never advertised. They generate their ample business turnover through fine product quality and constant word of mouth recommendations from their many loyal customers.
Yan-Ting says that she does care about money, but she only wants to earn it through integrity and sincerity. “Seeing the contentment, health, confidence and happiness of our customers after wearing one of our undergarments is the most satisfying payback for my job. What we produce is not simply an undergarment. Our vision is to help create a graceful figure for all women and to build a free and easy spirit in women’s hearts. We want to encourage a unique self-confidence in Taiwanese women.”
Hence it is said:
To put on a corset for confidence, go to a small shop with a large vision.