Huang Ying (Viktória)

This summer marked my return to China, a journey back to my roots and an exploration of my mother’s life before I was born. Through shared stories and photographs, I discovered a version of her I had never known—a charismatic woman with a vibrant life of her own. Her journey, however, was marked by profound sacrifice: enduring a challenging pregnancy, raising two kids with an abusive partner, and overcoming significant health struggles, including three spinal surgeries—one of which left her paralyzed for half a year. Now, as I transition into adulthood, I see the physical and emotional imprints of her sacrifices: stretch marks, freckles, the natural effects of aging, and her identity being ripped from her. These reflections often lead me to question whether I was worth the life she gave up. Yet even in her quiet sorrow, she has grown something beautiful. Today, she works as a florist—hands once worn from physical labor now tenderly arranging blooms. In her flowers, I see fragments of the woman she used to be, and maybe still is: strong, creative, full of grace. It’s in these fleeting moments, when she leans over a bouquet, lost in color and scent, that I see her radiant again. With this collection, I hope to honor her and all women who may feel similarly, and help her feel seen. My wish is to celebrate her beauty, strength, and resilience—capturing the moments when she feels confident and radiant, as a tribute to her enduring love and dedication.