Thai, Ni Phan's work area, Toronto, 1993

photo: Vincenzo Pietropaolo

Thai was a biology major at Saigon University, and originally interested in pursuing medicine. But the communists' rule required more pragmatic pursuits and she learned sewing and tailoring instead. After she arrived in Toronto, she worked as a sewing operator for a manufacturer, until she could establish her own business. Behind the sewing machine is a photo of their first son Hieu (Daniel).