In LALATOWN, even aprons apply

In LALATOWN, even aprons apply for new jobs. It started with a gift—a bright red Asiana Airlines apron embroidered with lotus flowers. I loved it instantly but never wore it. Too elegant for cooking, too shy for storage. So one day, years ago, I gave her a promotion. From apron to pouch. ✈️ I kept the pocket, of course. That’s where secrets belong. I lined her with yellow cotton covered in tiny white flowers—the kind that instantly forgives all bad moods. When I finished, she clicked shut like she meant it. That little snap! was her way of saying, “I’m ready for my next flight.” And then she waited. For years. Until today, when I finally gave her a passport to this journal. Welcome, apron-pouch. You’ve officially cleared customs into LALATOWN. 🌈 This is one of many handmade bags I’ve created over the years. Most of them begin with something forgotten: an apron, a piece of fabric, a dress, or a garment that has reached the end of one life and is ready for another. I love transforming ordinary materials into objects with new stories to tell. People often ask where I bought my bags. Their surprise is always my favorite part. “No, I made it.” In LALATOWN, almost everything gets a second chance.