MING WANG

Perfect match!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:30:33 -0500

Perfect match!

Happy National Chocolate Day!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:03:32 -0500

jobats:

Shades of pink ghally-alathman: .pretty pink roses. by...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:18:58 -0500

Shades of pink

ghally-alathman:

.pretty pink roses. by polkadotandplaid on Flickr.

Seeing red.

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:36:31 -0500

Seeing red.

Something for everyone.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:43 -0500

Something for everyone.

Happy New Year!

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:53:25 -0500

Happy New Year!

Refresh your look

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:29:19 -0500

Need something refreshing? This jacket will do just the trick! One of my favorite jackets in the new Ming Wang spring collection and will hopefully be yours too. This jacket looks flattering on most body types. The circular pattern was design for a feminine and flattering silhouette. It’s the ultimate combination of soft style and updated chic; that can be dressed both up and down, with a tease of rhinestones that touch upon select black swirls. The tanks color is what will control the wear of the jacket. For example, wear it with the matching tank for a daytime look; wear it back to black to instantly step up your style. I paired my jacket with my little black dress for a dressier look, or with a white shirt, jeans and belt for a casual day of shopping! If you’re a little top-heavy, I suggest paring it with the MS02 in black to help camouflage proportions and give an overall longer, thinner appearance.

How will you style this jacket?

-Carolyn

Color of the month: Waterfall

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:33:00 -0500

I recently heard a quote and it made me laugh. “Why do women love to shop but never have anything to wear?”

There is a reason: when shopping, we trust what we see on carefully styled mannequins, and visually understand how it will work on us. The challenge, then, is how to make our purchase go the distance once it finds its place in our wardrobes.

In the past few years while working with Ming Wang, my wardrobe has shrunk dramatically. This is not because I don’t love fashion or shopping; it’s because I have discovered a brand that works for me and my lifestyle. I am a busy, young professional. I have zero time to think about what I’m going to wear each morning because every spare moment of my personal time is important to me. And yet, I absolutely want to look put-together every day. I need clothes that I can feel comfortable in, travel in, and coordinate back to the things I already own. Ming Wang has helped me build a quality wardrobe, giving me exactly what I need and preventing me from making purchases that I would only wear once.

That’s why every month I like to focus on one color group and highlight my favorite jackets every week. To give examples of different ways you can wear and style Ming Wang back to your own wardrobe – ensuring that you will never have to say, “I have nothing to wear!”

I decided to do things a little differently this time around. All styles will have 3 different looks: Girl on the go: to represent the working woman, Dress to Impress: to show a more fancy version, and Street Smart: relaxed, comfortable, and casual.

This month it’s all about a fresh star. It’s a new year and time for new beginnings. Why not start it in a fresh new color, like this splashing Waterfall blue (found in the new Spring collection)! Every week I will reveal a new jacket and several ways to style it so make sure you stop.

What do you think of this color so far?

-Carolyn

What's next?

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:24:59 -0500

2011 was a great year for Ming Wang. I was amaze at all the new developments and growth, both internally and externally, that Ming Wang has had. I love to share so here are some highlights of 2011:

Ming Wang, The Company

Expansion: For those who don’t know, Ming Wang’s parent company is based in Dallas, TX (where we ship out all your merchandise from!), and the corporate showroom is located in New York, NY (which also houses the marketing department!). Both offices saw an increase in employees this year, resulting in a need for an extension office in New York! Just down the hall from our NY Showroom is now an additional office dedicated to design.

I Am…Ming Wang: A new initiative established to strengthen bonds with our retail partners, by inviting them to tour our Dallas warehouse and participate in our seasonal photoshoots. Is your store owner featured this season?

Social Media

Facebook: Although we’ve had our Facebook account for over a year (and our Twitter too!), our page didn’t really kick off until this year, when new content and monthly contests began. A quick shoutout to all our retail partners (Von Maur, The Bridge Boutique, La Grande Dame, Morgan Fitzgerald’s, The Ladies Shoppe) who have held Facebook contests with us so far!

Tumblr: Everyone’s doing it, and so are we! Ming Wang’s first blog launched in June, with topics that have ranged from styling tips, to behind the scenes at Ming Wang events or trunk shows, and now even guest bloggers! Be sure to keep a look out for new and exciting things to come on the blog front in 2012!

PR

Full Figure Fashion Week: In June, Ming Wang and Toula had the chance to show the Fall collection to the plus size community right in NYC!

NewDay Services: NewDay Services is an organization that supports distressed families and equips both parents and children with the emotional support and education they need to overcome hardships and become successful. We are so honored to help support an organization whose ideals mirror our own in giving - not only women - but both women and their families the confidence to thrive. In October, Ming Wang was the proud sponsor for their first annual fashion show.

Texas Conference for Women - MORE Magazine: Held last month in Houston, TX, Ming Wang had the opportunity to showcase some new Spring 2012 pieces and our classic LBD. If you missed it, check out our recap and photos from the previous issue.

Don’t think Ming Wang is slowing down! We have so many more events and projects for 2012. My lips are seal as to what they are but make sure to sign up for Ming Wang’s Newsletter to get exclusive sneak peaks.

Click here to read more highlights of 2011.

-Carolyn

What stress?

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:46:00 -0500

I have to admit the closer we get to the holidays the more stressed out I become, especially now more than ever since the year is coming to an end. There is just so much to do! Last minute holiday shopping, cleaning and decorating the home, cooking for family and friends. How can I find time to do all of this and manage my store, The Bridge Boutique?

Well, I decided to ask some of my friends for tips on how they handle stress during this time of year. Most of my friends had the same advice to give – “Carolyn, breathe and try to relax when you get home”, “meditate” - and some just plain out didn’t have any advice to give. I then decided to turn to my other “friends” - my trusty magazines and blog sites that I read in situations like this.

I decided to read O online (since I couldn’t remember where I placed my magazine), and almost as if Oprah was reading my mind, the first article on their homepage was “Get through the holidays… Stress-Free!” The first thing that popped out to me was this line: “If I have time, I’ll do this and that. If not, I’ll only do that.” A lightbulb went off in my head. I decided to come up with a plan of action. I also wanted to share my tips with all my readers who may be going through the same stressful situations.

First, I wrote down everything that needed to get done right away and things that I could span out until New Year’s. Once I knew everything that needed to get done, I started to plan things around my spare time.

To tackle my list I began with (what I thought was) the simplest task on my to-do list: last minute holiday shopping. I made a list of all the people I still needed to get presents for, what sort of gift they might like, and a budget to abide by. I decided to avoid the stores. This time of the year, stores tend be crowded and lines seem to go on forever! I decided to place orders online, as many online retailers are offering free shipping to ensure orders will be there before Christmas. If you absolutely have to go to the store, call ahead, and ask to see if they have your item in stock; then find out if they may be able to hold it aside for you. This will cut your trip to the store in half and you wont be left searching for an item that may not even be at the store.

Holiday shopping – check!

Next, cleaning and decorating the home. Instead of cleaning and putting everything all up at once, I decided to break things up. For cleaning, I broke up each section of the house and focused on one room at a time. For decorations I did the same except I broke it up by type. Ex: Day 1: Clean kitchen and put up the lights. Day 2: Clean living room and put up the tree. Day 3: Clean bathroom and decorate tree, etc.

Cleaning and decorating the house – check!

Then there’s the cooking. Cooking, I took out my cookbook and looked for easy recipes that didn’t require too much prep or cooking time and bookmarked them. Since I knew family and friends were coming over, I asked them to each bring a small dish. This would cut my cooking time in half and would be great to try a new dish!

Cooking - check!

Next up, events and outfit planning. It may be easy to forget a friend’s party or office event, so I wrote down every event I would be attending, including dates and times. To save me extra time the day of, I planned the outfits I would be wearing to each event and taped the list next to my closet. So all I have to do is look at my list, pull out my outfit and just worry on what lipstick to put on.

Events and outfit planning – check!

These are just a few things on my list and it may be different from yours. We all have different kinds of situations that stress us out. One thing to keep in mind - it’s the holidays! Even though you may not get through your list, know that we all can’t be Wonder Woman or Superman, but we can all make the holidays a little more special by spending it with those that are closest to us.

Have any stress-free tips? Share them below.

Click here to read O’s “Get through the holidays… Stress-Free!

-Carolyn

P.S. - It’s better to give than to receive! Ming Wang has partnered with NewDay Services for Children & Families to make the holidays special for children and families everywhere. Best of all, Ming Wang is making it super easy to help out - gather all your friends and have them “Like” Ming Wang on Facebook. For every new fan, Ming Wang will donate $1 from now until January 15.

DIY Gifts for the holidays

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:06:00 -0500

Running out of ideas for holiday gifts?

A homemade gift holds bigger sentiment than a purchased gift. These DIY gifts can also be combined with a Ming Wang jacket for an extra special touch.

Ming Wang Wrap Bracelet

You will need:

Beads or pearls (various sizes)

Twine String in black (or any color that matches the Ming Wang jacket)

Toggle clasp

Get started by measuring the twine string around your wrist about 3-4 times; make sure you add about 5 extra inches to the length. Arrange your pearls in the order and pattern that you want them in. We arranged ours by playing with the different sizes and colors. Take your twine string and tie it securely on one side of the toggle clasp, we like to use at least 3 knots to secure it. Now you’re ready to start your bracelet!

Start stringing the pearls in the order that you arranged it. At the end of your pattern, tie a knot to keep the pearls from sliding around. Measure about an inch of twine string and make a knot, then string your pattern again. Repeat this until you get to the end of the twine string. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist again and measure where the end will be. Tie that end to the other toggle clasp, and you’re done!

Now you have a matching bracelet to go with the Ming Wang jacket, or make one for yourself for your favorite jacket! Added bonus: this can also double as a necklace.

Ming Wang Ribbon Necklace

You will need:

Chain necklace

Ribbons of different colors (or any color that matches the Ming Wang jacket)

Scissors

Repurpose an old chain necklace you’re not using anymore with this easy trick. Depending on how big the loops of your chains are, you can use 2-3 different color ribbons.

Start by measuring each of the ribbon colors to the length of the chain and then double that length. Gather your ribbons and tie a knot on one end. Now you can begin braiding. Don’t tie a not yet; loop the untied end onto your necklace starting from the first loop next to the closures. Then start looping the braid into every other chain loop till you get to the other end of the necklace. Tie a knot to secure it from falling out and cut off any excess ribbon. Now you have a brand new necklace that you can give as a gift (or keep for yourself)! You can also try this project on a bracelet.

Note: Images for this project had bad lighting so will add images as soon as I re-take them. Here is an image of the finished necklace.

Now the only thing you need is to decide whether or not you want to give them as gifts or keep them for yourself!

I’d love to see what you made, so share your images with me!

-Carolyn

Traveling, Changing Shoes, and Ming Wang!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:27:00 -0500

Guest Blogger: Tina Sloan

[Tina Sloan enjoyed a three and a half decade-long career as a soap actress playing Lillian Raines on Guiding Light. Tina is also a speaker, author, playwright, and theatrical actress. She can be seen in Black Swan with Natalie Portman. Tina’s newest incarnation is as co-author and star of her one-woman show, Changing Shoes, which she is currently touring across the United States.

Through her own stories of struggle, courage, and transformation and using her unique self-deprecating wit and charm, Tina inspires women to become the individuals they’ve always wanted to be, making her an instant confidant, sounding board, and sage.

Recently, she visited the Ming Wang showroom looking for some pieces to wear on her tour of Changing Shoes. We’re not sure how she felt about Ming Wang when she first saw the collection, but we were glad when she picked out a couple outfits to take with her. Tina shared with us how her first Ming Wang traveling experience went.]

I have been traveling around the country doing my play CHANGING SHOES (even had a former President in the audience) and book parties for my book CHANGING SHOES. This had meant IRONING all my clothes whenever I landed, and it was more than tiresome. I started looking for comfy, chic clothes to no avail and then I met Ming Wang clothes. They are not only gorgeous, as you can see from these photos, but they don’t wrinkle either, so that is all I ever wear now. I can go on a 6AM TV show, as I did in Denver recently, having arrived late the night before and KNOW I will look great and be comfy as well. I tell every woman I meet that finally I have found the answer.

Here are some photos of me in Ming Wang clothes heading to the airport - and now I only need one small suitcase! I do wear flats with the clothes as they look good and I used to need heels to look good.

Been having a great time touring the US and about to do my play in January in Palm Beach, FL.

Go to www.changingshoes.com to see about the book, play and the latest on my ever-evolving life. And of course visit www.mingwangknits.com to purchase all the clothes seen on me in these images.

Soft elegance

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:20:47 -0500

If there is one coat you must have this season, this is it! Looks and feels amazing and looks great on everyone! The black-on-black pattern is just the right OMG touch! It is on the dressier side no matter how you spin it, and looks fantastic with any bottom you pair it with. I suggest wearing the jacket as a coat. In order to wear another jacket under the coat, just go up one size. The style goes very well with some of the long sleeve shells available this season. I personally try not to take off my jacket unless my arms are covered. The MS16 ¾-sleeve scoop neck gives you the option to keep it on or take it off without sacrificing comfort or style. Or for a fun festive look, wear a bright colored dress underneath it.

Carolyn’s pick:

MS19 long sleeve shell, paired with MP01 Mocha pant.
MS25 pencil skirt, paired with a Mocha tank.
MS16 ¾-sleeve shell, jeans
J. Crew red dress, shimmer sheer tights, black pumps, BCBG statement necklace

How would you wear this jacket?

-Carolyn

Recap: Texas Conference for Women

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:38:37 -0500

Last month, I had a chance to participate in the Texas Conference for Women; showcasing some new Spring 2012 Ming Wang pieces and our classic Little Black Dress, as part of the MORE Magazine exhibit. The conference brought women together to share and gain wisdom on a wide array of both personal and professional topics. Our main mission was to saturate the women of the conference with knowledge about our brand and style them.

Above is a peek of what our booth looked like, along with the mannequins that I styled for the event. Six LBDs styled six different ways! (How do you style yours?)

I also showed up in my very own LBD, which I bought back in 2003(!) styled with a black jacket from this year. It was an excellent example of how Ming Wang’s blacks can be worn season after season and never fade!

Two of the conference’s key speakers were also caught wearing Ming Wang at the event, including “Great Day Houston” host, Deborah Duncan, and Financial Expert, Glinda Bridgforth.

A diversity of women attended the event, from different backgrounds, different ages (20’s-60’s), and different sizes. Both new and old customers stopped by our booth, and we heard many positive comments! Everyone seems to love the range of sizes we offer (XS – 3X), the wrinkle resistance, and the travel friendly qualities. Not to mention, they loved our hosts as well ;)

Conference attendees were also given the rare opportunity to purchase Ming Wang pieces directly from us! Several Spring 2012 styles were on sale, as were several of our most popular black basics.

As if that wasn’t enough, people who stopped by our booth and Liked Ming Wang’s Facebook page were entered into a contest to win a basket full of goodies: the LBD, a Ming Wang wallet, scarf, and accessories. Congratulations to Christine Kiss, the lucky winner of the day!

Be sure to check out more photos from the event on our Facebook page, along with all the positive vibes we received from attendees! Also check out these professional photos on behalf of Jaxon Entertainment & Productions.

We were proud to be a part of this wonderful event and look forward to future events with MORE Magazine!

More about the Texas Conference for Women here.

Did you attend the conference? Share your images with us!

-Carolyn

Get cozy

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:59:58 -0500

This month is the perfect time to experiment with fur and what better way to start than with a vest. Overnight, the vest became a must have for a woman’s wardrobe. So, Ming Wang did not disappoint, we designed a vest that is comfortable, washable, fashionable, and most importantly, wearable. This vest is a fantastic piece to easily turn an everyday basic to a fashionista. The animal print is brown, tan, and black, so you can play with your choice of a colorful shell (for example, a cherry red). I especially love the mock neck dress this season; it makes so much sense for the cooler weather that is to come, and it looks effortless and chic when combined with the vest, or you can play with texture, try a sweater dress for a cozier look. Don’t worry about feeling constricted; a lot of thought was put into the design of the vest and was created so that it can be worn with light or heavy shells.

Important note: The slimming black trim down the center of the jacket was important to add so the chest area would not look too wide when worn closed. Yes, Ming Wang did think of everything!

Carolyn’s pick:

MD12 mock dress
MS16 scoop tank - paired with the MP03 trouser pants
Red shell, with skinny jeans
Theory sweater wool dress, shimmer sheer tights, Gravitypope boots

How else will you style this vest?

-Carolyn

December is here!

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:25:01 -0500

Can’t believe the year is coming to an end - we’re already in December!

This month is sure to be all about the holiday spirit. Last minute shopping trips, decorating the home, and getting ready for the New Year! Be sure to check out Ming Wang’s Facebook page for some fun post and giveaways throughout the month. Not to mention, make sure you enter to win a Ming Wang jacket for the New Year and with the help of 100 friends you can win Ming Wang’s most popular “Little Black Dress” for the holidays!

As the year is almost coming to an end, this is a great time to reflect and either catch up or get back on track on the goals we made at the beginning of the year.

So what are you looking forward to this month?

-Carolyn

Comfortably chic

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:25:00 -0500

Thanksgiving is almost here and you know what that means, family time, delicious eats, and a lot of sitting. This year whether you’re hosting or attending a thanksgiving gathering, the last thing on your mind is what to wear. Not to worry I’ve pull together some of my best tricks to hide the tummy bulge, after round three of turkey trimmings, so you can still look stylish.

Ladies leave those sweats at home. Instead trade them in for leggings, or a pair of trousers with an elastic waistband. Then throw on a cute tunic or chunky sweater – don’t forget the flats and your set to go. Who’s ready for seconds?

Carolyn picks:
Ming Wang Tunic
Deanna Pants by Elie Tahari
Chunky knit sweater by Stella McCartney
Leggings by Warehouse

What are your tricks to hide the tummy bulge?

-Carolyn

A little red goes a long way!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:59:00 -0500

This jacket looks great on any age! The simplicity of the design gives it the option of a trendy or a conservative style. A great secret to this jacket is that it grows with size. For example, an XS jacket is 21” long but the plus size is 26” so that the jacket is fashionable in proportion. Due to the three rows of nailheads, complete the style simply with a pair of hoops or studs.

Carolyn’s Picks:
MK22 Skirt - paired back to M3381 matching tank
MP03 trouser pant - paired back to MS15 cowl neck tank
Gray print tee, paired back to skinny ankle jeans
White tee, dark jeans, flats and pinwheel stud earrings by Lord and Taylor

How will you wear this jacket?

-Carolyn

Christmas… Baking… Shopping… Parties… What to Wear!!!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:58:00 -0500

Guest Blogger: Libby, of Libby’s

‘Tis the busy season that we all look forward to. Long work days, then the baking at night, oh and the fun shopping, and finally, a party to attend!!! It must be the Christmas season!!! Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy this glorious season. Now is the time to make sure your customers are happy and your employees are smiling, so that the cash register is ringing!!!

Take a few moments and educate your staff about the wonderful qualities of Ming Wang. To start with, it is washable - what a time and money saver for all. So after work, you can throw on an apron and hit the kitchen. This will save you time, especially if you need to stick something in the oven to take to a gathering. Then, throw on some heels, beautiful Brighton Jewelry, and add a shawl to your basic black Ming Wang. Then add a special touch with one of those wonderful magnetic broaches from Klares Originals and you are the Wonder Woman who does it all. Work, bake and show up as the best dressed woman there!!

(Katrina Miller pictured above in Ming Wang)

Selling Ming Wang during the holidays is such a joy because it never goes out of style. I call it “investment dressing”. When you know your blacks will always match and that the fabric retains its shape without pilling or balling up, it is worth the price to have Fashion that is Quality!! Your customers will not be disappointed with its performance. Show your customers how looking great is easy with a few basic pieces.

Think out of the box: sell a Ming Wang jacket with a smart pair of jeans, add heels and some jewelry, and you will have comfort and style for the holiday season! Red is always a great sell, wonderful for Christmas and Valentines, which will be just around the corner. Red always looks great with black or denim, and don’t forget camel. It is a must have with gold jewelry. Experiment with your staff on creative ways to merchandise Ming Wang with different looks within your store. Ming Wang can help make your sales larger with the way you merchandise your store.

The last tip to help you, or your customers, look their best is to always select your outfit the night before, complete with your accessories. This way, you are prepared for the next day, and you are confident with your choice!!!

This is our last quarter and time for us to entertain our Staff, our Customers and also Give Thanks for all our blessings. Bake cookies in your store in a small toaster oven and serve with some hot cider! What a wonderful smell. Customers will want to stay and linger, and hopefully shop more… Make time for family and friends and always remember: you and your staff are a walking advertisement wherever you go. Look your best; have business cards ready to hand out. But most of all, get a good night’s sleep so you are well-rested and ready to make that cash register ring. Our Boutiques are special because we are unique in the service we give.

Have a Blessed Holiday season!

Love in Fashion,

Libby

From a winner

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:55:00 -0500

We had another successful Facebook store contest - this time featuring my store, The Bridge Boutique!

Let me just say that my history with Ming Wang has been a long, but fun journey. I have been working with Ming Wang since 2003, helping both the design and sales teams. In 2007, I decided to open my own boutique in Fort Worth, TX. I wanted to expose the lifestyle and help women better understand the versatility of Ming Wang. The Bridge also carries a fantastic selection of casual, business, and evening attire that caters to every age, shape, and size (with a range from XS-XL and 1X-3X). I decided to partner with Ming Wang for the first time to partake in all the social media buzz and create a Facebook page for The Bridge Boutique and host a contest. Let me just say I was shocked! I didn’t know so many of my clients were on Facebook. I was so glad I participated because now I keep up with my girls day to day. Apart from the great results, setting up the contest was easy. I feel like I have no time for anything extra with the store but Ming Wang set it all up for me. I was definitely blown away! The contest ran for about a month, and I am happy to say we picked a winner; Congratulations to Shelah Hartfield!

She picked out a beautiful Riviera jacket in a subtle zebra print. While she was here, I decided to ask her a couple of questions on fashion, life and all things Ming Wang.

“What do you like best about Ming Wang?” I love the colors and the fact that it’s so easy to care for.

“What do you think makes Ming Wang stand apart from other fashion brands?” The quality is excellent and it’s a very fun brand.

“When wearing Ming Wang, how does it make you feel?” It definitely gives me a confidence boost!

“Describe your personal style and how Ming Wang fits into your current lifestyle?” My style is more on the casual side so I love the fact that I can wear Ming Wang all the time and take it with me on trips.

“What are some of your best tips on mixing Ming Wang in with pieces in your current wardrobe?” I love pairing them with my skinny jeans.

“What is your definition of a “real woman”? A woman who knows herself.

Shelah Hartfield, pictured above in her winning jacket.

Ming Wang is currently running two contests on Facebook - that’s double the chance at winning a Ming Wang jacket! Enter here and here.

-Carolyn