Tag: ATG Against The Grain Productions

Fashion for a Passion Designers: The Concept/Inspiration

Fashion For A Passion is just around the corner and the designers are getting ready. In the coming months leading up to the event, we’ve asked each designer to give us a sneak peak into their collection, and to highlight the behind-the-scenes creation of one of the signature looks that will be auctioned off that night. Here are some concepts and inspirations from a few of our designers:

Lyly Koenig of Lyly Thanh

“I am inspired by my recent trip to Vietnam — Vietnam as a whole, especially the children, and the colors found in Vietnam. I’ve included some random images that I took while in Vietnam. These photos are the most inspiring to me. They reflect the happiness that the people of Vietnam have about their lives. Vietnam is prospering, growing at a rapid rate. I hope to capture the prosperity, happiness and colorfulness of Vietnam in this collection.”


Judy Yang for JudYang

“The painting title is called “Hot Pursuit.” The bright color really speaks to me – feminine, yet very strong and defined lines. I think the direction I am going with this collection will be playful, with swirls and circles. ”

Khanh Nguyen for Nha Khanh

Nikki Duong Koenig for Cykochik (Congrats on your recent nuptials, Nikki!)

For the “special edition bag,” my inspiration is from my wedding colors and flowers.


For more information on this event and how you can sponsor or volunter, please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com.

ATG Brings Spring Donation to Orphanages in Hue and Da Nang

In March and April, members of our ATG family took a trip to Vietnam and made donations to several orphanages in Hue and Da Nang. With the support from our friends, family  and local supporters, we were able to deliver  food, baby formula, books, toys, clothes, soap, and lotion to three different orphanages with the funds raised by your generous donations.

The ATG team had their first stop at an orphanage in Hue. The very first time we made a visit and donated to this orphanage, there were only 22 children. Today, there are 39 children who range from 7 months to 17 years-old — all of whom share a love for Choco-pie!

Sister PT informed us that currently there are many children with special needs, but with the lack of resources and facilities, she could not take them in. But the children who still remain seem to grow more quickly (and to our delight, stronger and healthier) with each year’s visit. During our first trip to Vietnam, we met an 8 month-old boy who had been abandoned and left at the orphanage doorstep. Now, he stands tall with a mischievous, playful spirit at 30 months.

On the second orphanage trip, our ATG volunteers paid a visit to an all-girls orphanage run by nuns. The children, which include 63 girls and 2 boys with Down Syndrome, were in need of summer clothes and milk. Our team went to the local stores and bought clothes and supplies for the children. That following Sunday, when the kids were off from school, we paid a visit to pass out the newly purchased clothes, milk and food.

ATG thanks all of you for your continuous support and donations. Without you, trips like these could not be possible.

To support our cause, please visit https://againstthegrainproductions.com/donate.php and scroll to the bottom of the page for easy donation options.

OPERATION BABYLIFT to Screen at Vail Film Festival

Dallas, TX – Dallas based non-profit ATG Against the Grain Productions is honored to present Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam at its Colorado premiere during the 2010 Vail Film Festival (VFF) in Vail, Colorado. The compelling documentary that won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, screens twice. The first screening is at 2:45 pm on Saturday, April 3rd at Vail Plaza 1. Several members of the cast, including adoptees Jane Hopkins and Lucas Young and FFAC nurse Mary Nelle Gage, will be in attendance for the Q&A following the screening.

The encore screening takes place at 12 pm on Sunday, April 4th.  Ticket and screening information are available at www.vailfilmfestival.org.

Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam tells the significant, yet untold story of the $2 million U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country. These adoptees grew up facing unique challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis. Featuring compelling and insightful interviews of the volunteers, parents and organizations directly involved, the documentary takes a contemporary look at Operation Babylift and its relevance to international adoption today.

Several interviewees featured in the film are Colorado residents and will be present at the screening. Adoptee Jane Hopkins said, “Being adopted has always been a peripheral part of my life; although, it is a part of my identity, I have never felt like it has defined me or prevented me from being the person I am today. . . My story is only one of many adoptees.  Operation Babylift provides us with a unique window into some of the lives and stories surrounding a war that had a tremendous impact on the US and Vietnam.”

Erin Sheppard, Vail Film Festival Documentary Programmer, said “Operation Babylift was the journey for identity that the adoptees went through–and continue to go through into adulthood… it is human nature to question who we are and where we come from, and this film comes at it from an under-heard group in the American population.  Festival attendees will be able to relate to the questions and searching that the subjects go through during the course of the film, regardless of their backgrounds and cultural histories.  This is an incredible story from the moment the group of Americans decided to move these children out of Vietnam and as it continues to unfold as each individual story branches out from their similar beginning.”

Producer/Director Tammy Nguyen Lee, a MFA graduate from UCLA’s Producers Program, added, “We’re so honored to have our Colorado premiere with the Vail Film Festival. To come full circle back to place where so many adoptees found their home and share this emotional and inspiring story is exciting and significant.”

Tammy Nguyen Lee is a first generation Vietnamese American who fled Saigon as a Boat Person more than 30 years ago. Lee founded ATG Against the Grain Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to promote Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects, while also raising funds for international orphanages. This is her feature documentary directorial debut. For more information please visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.

2010 Fashion for a Passion Designer Line-Up!

ATG is proud to announce the 2010 Fashion for a Passion Designers!

We know you’ve been waiting….Now here they are!

7 fabulous designers whose creations range from funky handbags to chic casualwear to elegant couture!

We can’t wait to see their fabulous collection this fall. Check back for monthly exclusive behind the scenes sneak peaks at their creations that will be finally revealed at the Big Event! You don’t want to miss this!

2010 Fashion for a Passion

Saturday, September 25, 2010

LandCo/7 Senses

1202 N. Riverfront (formerly N. Industrial) @ Howell St.

Dallas, TX 75207

* Benefiting orphanages in Vietnam and ATG’s community outreach initiatives *

Tickets will go on sale a couple weeks before the event.

For information on how you can sponsor this fabulous event, email us.