MIA was founded in May 2009 by Barbara Nano out of her love for all things Asian and for unique, handcrafted products. When Barbara moved back to Asia at the end of September 2008 from London, she set out on a journey to find the best products Made in Asia looking for things that have something special and unique about them.
MIA’s mission is to source the best products Made in Asia and make them available to people who are on the look for something with a story to tell; to contribute sustaining local artisans and traditional making techniques; to promote Asian craftsmanship and culture.
"My enduring love story with Asia began over 10 years ago when I moved to Hong Kong for the first time to work and live for a couple of years.
I had never been to Asia before and that experience inevitably changed the way I looked at the world. It also nurtured my interest for various aspects of Asian art, culture and tradition.
Travelling throughout the region, I soon became intrigued with Asia sophisticated craftsmanship and fascinated by the talent of the local artisans and the traditional making techniques that are passed through the generations.
When I moved back to Asia at the end of September 2008, I specifically set out on a journey to find the best products “Made in Asia”, the pre-requisite being that they all had to have something special and unique about them, possibly sustaining Asian traditions and promoting local cultures.
These products are not easily available anywhere else, and I hope they speak to you as they spoke to me in the first place.
My commitment to you is that I will keep sharing my passion for finding that something “special” and I will keep looking for the most exquisite creations exclusively “MIA – Made in Asia”."
Barbara
