#DeafSuccess: Mona Thalheimer, fashion designer

Mar 28, 2022

Full video description: https://tinyurl.com/mrymvcwn

Video Description:

Mona, a woman with peach skin and red hair framing her face, sits in a darkened sitting room. On the top right corner of the screen, #DeafSuccess banner lies across the NDC logo.  Mona speaks English and also intersperses her speech with ASL signs and gestures.

Speech:

I talk with a lot of hearing friends now, they’re so happy now – “Now I can text you! Now I can FaceTime!” Amazing! So exciting! Now technology – fantastic. When I was in college – not like this. Much more lf fashioned. Now it’s a different world.

So I went to Fairfax highschool – I was only one deaf person. I had notetaking and private tutoring. I loved it. Then, I applied to college. I applied to Chinon Art College, but they changed it to California Institute of the Arts. It was amazing. I was so lucky. I had fantastic teachers. My teachers helped me to get the job.

Video Description:

A camera follows behind Mona as she walks through a room with racks of clothing, some covered in plastic.

Speech:

I go to trade shows. People will say, “Oh, I’m sorry. Oh, it’s nothing. But you speak so well. I love you.” They said, “You’re very talented, smart business woman.” I said, “No, not that.” But, I work hard. I’m fighter. Don’t give up.

Video Description:

Mona smiles as text appears: Mona Thalheimer: Fashion Designer.

Speech:

I really thank my parents. Took me to parties, Sunday school and charity work. All the things – all different It’s amazing. I really thank my parents – it’s a big gift from my parents.

Video Description:

A man is ironing a white dress shirt. He speaks to Mona, who is standing at a desk, holding an iPhone.

Speech:

I have a sales rep.  I have a sales rep; he sells my products so I get the order from them, then I have to produce.

Video Description:

A man and woman each with dark hair and skin, wearing orange shirts, sit at sewing machines, working with white and grey fabric.  Clothing tags with the text “MONA THALHEIMER” lie grouped on a table.

Now, a fashion website scrolls through images of a white, blonde model posing in various clothes, mostly including dress shirts in shades of white or grey.

Speech:

My designs were “modern woman.” I care about women. Anyone. Lawyers, doctors, and all the different… They’re wonderful. They’re human. Ageless. Timeless.  She can wear it to work to dress up – different styles.

Video Description:

Three panels of a strawberry blonde, pale white woman modeling colorful dresses and cropped pants.  Then, three more panels of a female model with brown curly hair, wearing airy floral sundresses and interacting with balloons.

Speech:

I’m lucky that I have good mentors through friends. Be friends with everybody, because I can see so many people who are very talented push and get the job. That’s my thing.

Video Description:

A black and white video of Mona, working in her shop, plays in slow motion while a teal banner appears with text: #DeafSuccess.
NDC Logo appears above text, black lettering on a white background: nationaldeafcenter.org

“This video was developed under a jointly-funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) #HD326D160001. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the federal government.”

Next to it, three logos appear. The first reads “IDEAs that Work” with an arrow drawing a circle from “IDEAs” to “Work” and the words “U.S. Office of Special Education Programs”. The second logo shows a red-and-blue star with text next to it that reads “TA&D”. The third logo shows a blue circle around a tree. In the blue circle are the words “U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.”

End of Accessibility Document