When I first moved to Hong Kong, I started to work with some amazing Chinese girls, who giggled at my funny English ways and one of them, an amazing illustrator and designer called Mei Mei Man, always went out of her way to make me feel welcome. We bonded over our love for The Virgin Suicides, vintage clothing and a love of the french language – both of us couldn’t speak it very well, but we tried! I’ve included her self portrait above, and one of her illustrations below – go to her wonderful website for more. She’s studying in France, where she will attend art school…

Mei Mei, sum yourself up and show us what you are all about!
I love Art. I love Music. I love beautiful clothes. I love shoes. I love vintage.
I draw, I sew, I knitted, I listen to good music, I wear beautiful clothes, I wear cool shoes, I always go to vintage shops.
I left Hong Kong to study abroad in France, Nantes. It was, and still is, my dream. I gave up to work for fashion industry because I know it can’t satisfy my creativity-I want to create so many different things. I needed to leave my birth place of Hong Kong for my inspiration. I want to go to England, Germany, Spain and Italy travelling. But I chose France, because It’s cheaper for me…haha…$$$ I am sure Paris is the best place for art, and also the $ problem, I choose to stay in Nantes. Overall France is, the better place for art than Hong Kong!

Who/what inspires you and why?
Everyone can inspire me. When he is singing a song, when she is crying, when she is laughing, when he is talking with me….

What do you love about being a woman in the world?
I LOVE being a woman. It’s sexy. I love being a woman, to having sex!

Where are your five must-go destinations for inspiration, life..?
Bacelona, Slovenia, Dubrovnik, New York and Tibet.

What has been your proudest moment so far?
I can do what I want, I can be what I want to be.

Which five tracks make Mei’s day?
1. La vie en rose-Edith Piaf
2. Friday night saturday morning-Nouvelle Vague
3. Venus- Air
4. Look for the silver lining-Chet Baker
5. Sugar Town-Zooey Deschanel

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Underground leather boots with buckles.
Photo
Agent provocateur black lace lingerie play suit.
Bourjois Black eyeliner pen and eye shadow.
Vintage Leopard pattern fur coat. (I prefer the faux fur )
Japan Kiss me mascara.

What makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
Blue sky

What is your life Motto?
Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.

What is next for you creatively?
Colours. I want some colours in my life, and my creativity.

Quick fire round: What is your favourite?
Shop: Mei Chi vintage fashion shop in Hong Kong
Book: French and English dictionary
Website/blog: http://meimeiman.wordpress.com/
Hang-out: Chinese supermarket in Europe
City: Nantes
Must-have beauty item: Japan Kiss me mascara
TV prog: Little Britain
Food: My mum’s cooking

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you, Mei?
I love the whole concept of a Sassy Minx-being a woman is a beautiful and valuable thing everyday.