The pom-pom neck piece is inspired by the traditional clothing of the Iu Mien people, an ethnic minority who originally based in Guangzhou, the root of Michelle's family lineage, settled in parts of the US, Vietnam and Thailand. 

“They brought a distinctive script, based on Chinese characters and for writing to spirits. As both refusal and acceptance of Chinese authority, the script is a neat expression of contaminated diversity: Mien are Chinese, and not Chinese. Later they would learn to be Lao/Thai, but not Lao/Thai, and then American but not American.” - “The Mushroom at the End of the World" by Anna Tsing

This giant pom-pom necklace is a way for Michelle to embrace the idea of a contaminated diversity and the creation of a personal mythology as a way to connect to her Chinese ancestors and her lived experiences in South Africa and The Netherlands. Photographing it in her own room on an overcrowded hook of coats, bags and scarves, evoked a ghost-like figure, hovering around with comfort and protection.