Like the shepherd boy in “The Alchemist”, Mali’s founder, Brian Johnson went in search of his personal treasure in South East Asia and along way found his heart among the generational artisans in small up-country villages in Thailand.
A child of the 60’s, southern gentleman, his mission is to support and nurture generational artisans to build a fashion brand, Mali. His journey beyond borders is an inspiring story of one man’s quest beyond borders in Asia touches lives and creating fashion treasures.
On any given day, he can be spotted wearing his personal signature rice hat sitting under shade of jumjuli tree with weavers in small villages in Isaan, dying silk yarn in Phetchubun, textile factory in Khon Kaen, working at Queen’s foundation (“SACICT”) at arts & crafts center of arts in Bang Sai, in Nan province designing silver jewelry with hill tribe people, in Mukhadan in search of hidden treasures and generational artisans or deep in Umphang jungle at H2O orphanage on Burma border.
His journey from a farm in Nashville, Tennessee USA, to London & New York in fashion and real estate finance and finally to Thailand was inspired by the cultural and generational artisans and traditional Thai culture.
Mali founder, Brian Johnson began his fashion career in early 70’s in London exporting women fashions to USA and later in New York garment district learning tailoring and textiles.
Brian’s heritage is steeped in arts and design. His family history is steeped in the art & design arena. His family was founders of Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum and his mother Margaret “Peggy” Johnson, a celebrated interior designer.
After 25 year stint in real estate finance having worked for The Princeton Endowment Fund, and (2)NYSE traded REIT’s (“SFC” and “LXP”), he moved a to Thailand to pursue his passion and to build fashion company. His visual arts and classical fashion style were products of his environment.
Mali is a fully integrated designs, production and wholesale of culturally inspired handcrafted products designed by artisans from Thailand. What inspired Mali Fashions founder, Brian Johnson to form Thai couture fashion Design Company was Thailand rich history of arts & Crafts.
Johnson says “Thai culture is rich in generational art-forms such as; wood carving, silk, cotton and bamboo weaving, silversmith using sustainable materials grown in nature.” The art forms were born out of necessity driven by cultural traditions, war, persecution and poverty. These art forms migrated across borders from Burma, Cambodia, China, and Laos locating in northern Thailand.
Mali, Thai translated meaning “Flower”. This name was chosen for brand to signify the floral vegetation of landscape, the fragrance and beauty of Thailand’s rich heritage, people and traditions steeped in arts and crafts.
The old adage is true; “behind every great man vision is a lady of equal strength and determination” supporting his vision. The same is true here; a very intelligent and creative human named Duangporn Aem-aim guided him through his cultural journey.
