Taylor & Khoo's new casual look, three new kids at orphanage, documentary screens in Asia

Documentary on Taylor & Khoo screens in Asia
For the first three days of 2007, Channel News Asia screened a documentary on Taylor & Khoo called The Throwaway Children. This documentary was the brainchild of James Boldiston from NMG Productions. James and his partner Sharon visited Cambodia with us and captured the story on film.
   
As a result, the documentary screened a number of times throughout various Asian countries thanks to Channel News Asia and it generated a range of supportive responses and donations. One of the more unique offers came from Judy Tse who lives in the UK. She said she caught the last 15 minutes of the documentary around 1am in the morning and it immediately spurred her into action.

She had visited Cambodia two years ago and taken to Phnom Penh 13 kilograms of jewellery making supplies, mostly plastic beads. She had planned to conduct a jewellery making workshop with an orphanage. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the classes never went ahead. Not knowing what to do with the supplies, she left her 13 kilogram bundle with a friend in Phnom Penh.
      
When she saw our documentary she knew she could finally put the materials to good use.

We are arranging for the jewellery making materials to be collected from her friend’s house and used at the orphanage to teach the girls how to make jewellery. This will be a fun craft activity for the children and perhaps even something they can turn into a small cottage industry to earn some pocket money. Or armed with the new skills, Judy’s donation may just spark a new start-up industry!

Thankfully, Judy says there are instruction sheets packed with the materials.

Judy says that she knew one day the materials would come in useful for someone and she is so glad that she left them there, knowing one day she would find a way to put them to good use.

Taylor & Khoo goes casual – new 2007 range
For many, Taylor & Khoo is synonymous with special occasions. While we love any excuse to dress up, we're thrilled to present our new range … Taylor & Khoo by Aung.

This beautiful contemporary collection has been designed by a talented young designer Aung Thu Ya. Aung is a designer who has a love for fabric and a passion for creating pieces that are both contemporary and classic. We are thrilled with Aung’s designs. He believes in Taylor & Khoo’s mission and has been able to infuse a unique blend of style, elegance and a subtle tribal feel into the new collection.

With a background working with Akira Isogawa, Aung is now also working on his own eponymous collection but jumped at the chance to create the Taylor & Khoo by Aung range – just in the store now.

       Our friend Kimberley wearing Taylor & Khoo by Aung

“The soft texture of Cambodian silk is magical,” says Aung. “It’s a wonderful fabric to work with and I loved creating this range of clothes.”

Taylor & Khoo by Aung is a collection that has been created with heart. And a true example of how fashion can play a small part in changing the world.

Three new kids join the orphanage
While it's always sad that there are circumstances when little kids have to join the orphanage, we hope they find their new home is a happy and safe one.

Three new children are now at Sunrise Angkor Orphanage. They had no parents and were living in terrible circumstances. They are picture here alongside the hut they were living in.

Thanks to all customers and donors. Your support is what makes a difference in the lives of these children. 

Save the date
When: Thursday 1 March 2007
Time: 5.30-7.30pm
What: Champagne and shopping at Taylor & Khoo. Chat to Valerie Khoo, co-founder of Taylor & Khoo; Naomi Britten, jewellery designer or Ruby Jam; and Aung Thuy Ya, the talented designer behind Taylor & Khoo by Aung.

Til next time,

Kylie and Valerie