Kim Gaynor
Kim Loan Gaynor was born Nguyen Thi Kim Loan in Hue, Vietnam on August 20,
1953. Kim spent most of her childhood in Hue and attended college there. From
age 11, she showed an interest in fabrics and design, often redoing purchased
garments to suit her taste. In 1973, Kim met and married Ron Gaynor, while
they both worked for the International Commission for Control and Supervision
(ICCS) in Hue. While in Vietnam, Kim and Ron had their son, Minh, and Daughter, Nancy.
Kim returned from Vietnam to the United States with her family in 1975 and
resided in New Jersey and, later, California. During this period, Kim continued sewing primarily as a hobby.
In 1978, Kim and the children joined her husband on assignment in Lagos,
Nigeria. Kim's talent as a seamstress and designer blossomed there, and she
became well known among the wives of the expatriate community in Lagos for
her ability to provide "originals" rivaling the best available from European
boutiques. She also provided costumes for plays and cultural events staged by
the expatriate community, including "South Pacific" and "Oliver Twist."
Kim and family returned from Nigeria in 1983 and have resided in the Melbourne, Florida area since that time. In 1983, Kim met Wanda Baxter and
formed a personal friendship and business relationship with Wanda that
continues to the present day. With Silks The Wanda Way, Kim provides the
unique design and delicate fabrication of the silk creations sold to national
boutiques and upscale department stores, including Jacobson's. Kim's and
Wanda's work has been featured in Florida Today, Art Spirit Magazine and
Book "The Best of Silk Painting," Diane Tuckman and Jan Janas 1997 (may be
purchased at Barnes& Noble).
Kim's husband, Ron, has been a system engineer with Harris Corporation in
Melbourne, Florida since 1977. Her son, Minh, is a Chemical Engineering
graduate of the University of Florida, and her daughter, Nancy, will complete
an ED.S degree in Education at the University of Florida in the spring of
2001. Kim is an avid cultivator of orchids, with her own greenhouse and
several hundred specimens from all over the world.
