Today’s NEXT BIG THING item traveled to us all the way from Singapore! True story, the shipment was covered in stickers from the Department of Agriculture, who had opened the box and inspected it searching for who knows what. I would have paid money to see the look on the inspector’s face to discover the box filled with Mimipong’s hug your sorrow tear dolls. These plush pick-me-ups are the brainchild of Mimi Lijun who says to think of them as a get well soon card that you can hug. Read more!

Tell us more about this unique item.
Hug your sorrow is more than just a plush! We all have moments when we’re down in the dumps, shedding a tear or too… or some big buckets of them. This doll allows you to write down that nasty thing that has made you sad on the embroidered tag and then give it a big hug for comfort! It’s like a sad page out of your own dairy that you can HUG or a comfort gift to a friend, like get well card. I think fred flare products are always reminders of happiness which is great! So in contrast, here is a product that tells us that even when things go wrong, everything will get better again.

How did you first get started?
Mimipong has existed in my brain for a long time. I have a full time job as an art director in advertising and, while brainstorming for commercial ideas, I would sometimes sneak into Mimipong and start daydreaming about ideas that make me smile instead. So when my first project was realized, Mimipong moved out of my brain and into my studio space/bedroom. It’s really just a playground for me to produce the things I like.

Growing up, did you dream of becoming a designer?
I grew up above my Grandad’s textile shop, so that’s where I hung out everyday as a kid, running my fingers through bails of fabrics and examining the patterns. I took a design BA in London for 3 years. Being in London, going to markets and museums, gigs and traveling out to Europe has shaped me quite a bit.

What inspires you?
I like listening to stories and I am fascinated by human emotions and memories. I love sewing and patterns and textiles. I also love art, gardening, love, indiepop music, traveling, observing people, picnics, happy chats, good sashimi and cute boys…