When I began designing HmongKin Dolls, I wanted to create a beautiful collectible. I wanted to create a keepsake filled with meaning, culture, and love — a piece that would share my heart to the world. A personal memoir — a reflection of my upbringing and my journey as a Hmong American daughter, living at the crossroads of two rich cultures. I’ve been blessed to experience the traditions of my Hmong heritage while also embracing the opportunities and perspectives of American life. In that space between the two, I’ve found my own balance — choosing the best of both worlds and weaving them together into something uniquely mine.
The Story Behind the Name
The name HmongKin blends two words with deep significance: Hmong — honoring the heritage, history, and traditions passed down through generations — and kin, a reminder of the strong ties we share with family, community, and our roots.
To me, HmongKin is more than a name; it’s a celebration of belonging. It reflects my belief that we are not meant to journey through life alone. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes shared effort, understanding, and care to stay connected as a family and community. Life is richer when our milestones, joys, and even our challenges are shared with our loved ones. My kin is my community, my support, my foundation — and a huge part of my identity.
Through HmongKin Dolls, I hope to invite others into this spirit of unity, where culture is honored, stories are preserved, and bonds — both old and new — are celebrated.
The Meaning Behind the HmongKin Logo
Our logo was created with the same care and intention as the dolls themselves. Every color, every shape, every symbol carries a piece of my story.
The pink and green are inspired by the vibrant Hmong textiles I grew up seeing — colors that feel alive with tradition and celebration. The elephant motif has always been a favorite of mine. It’s well-known in the Hmong community, but for me, it’s also deeply personal. I’ve always admired elephants for their strength, their wisdom, and the way they live in close-knit, matriarchal families — a value that resonates with how I see my own community.
And then there’s the yellow dandelion — perhaps the most unexpected piece of our logo, but one of the most meaningful. As a child, my sisters and I would run through the grass, searching for dandelions. We’d close our eyes, whole-heartedly make wishes, and blow the seeds into the wind. I didn’t think much about their meaning back then; they were simply part of our childhood joy and kinship.
Later, I learned how perfectly the dandelion reflects the story of the Hmong people. Often seen as a weed, it’s actually a symbol of resilience, hope, and the ability to thrive in difficult conditions. Like dandelion seeds carried by the wind, our people have traveled far from our ancestral home, planting roots wherever we’ve landed. We’ve faced hardship, but we’ve also grown, adapted, and bloomed in new places.
Every time I see our logo, I’m reminded that beauty, strength, and connection can grow in even the harshest environments — and that our stories, like those dandelion seeds, will continue to travel and take root in the hearts of others.
More Than a Doll
Every HmongKin Doll, every color in our logo, and every detail in our designs reflects something close to my heart — the beauty of heritage, the strength of community, and the belief that our stories can continue to grow no matter where life takes us.
Nkauj Ntsuab was designed as a dedication and tribute to my mother. Her outfit mirrors my mom’s own traditional clothing — the colors, the layers, and the patterns all tell the story of her hometown.
In the Hmong community, there are four main subgroups: White Hmong (Hmoob Dawb), Green/Blue Hmong (Hmoob Ntsuab/Leng), Striped Hmong (Hmoob Txaij Npab), and Black Hmong (Hmoob Dub). These subgroups are often recognized by their clothing styles, dialects, and regions of origin.
My mother is from the White Hmong subgroup and wears the distinct blue-and-black outfit unique to her region. Her pink hat is another special indicator of where she grew up. My father is also White Hmong, wearing the same blue-and-black outfit, but his hat style is different — a small but meaningful distinction that reflects the different region he comes from.
Planning ahead, one of my stretch goals is to create dolls wearing the traditional clothing of each subgroup, dedicating each design to one of my sisters who has married into that particular group. I also hope to create male fashion dolls that share the rich beauty of men’s traditional Hmong clothing — so not only can I honor my sisters but also my brothers for the love, guidance, and support they’ve given me throughout my life.
For me, these dolls aren’t just collectibles — they’re living tributes, storytellers in fabric and color, carrying the history of our people into the hands and hearts of the next generation.
Join the Journey
HmongKin Dolls are more than a product launch — they’re a cultural movement.
If you believe in preserving heritage, celebrating diversity, and creating meaningful keepsakes, I’d love for you to follow our journey.
Sign up for updates, share our story, and help us bring the first dolls to life.This is a limited edition collection worldwide so be 1 of 500 to own this doll.
This is the beginning of something deeply personal and beautifully communal — thank you for being part of it.
— Jenny Yang, Founder of HmongKin Dolls