Ms. Nguyen Thi Dam (49 years old) has devoted much of her passion to spreading the cultural identity of the Central Highlands ethnic groups through unique garment products.
Ms. Dam said that she has shifted from simple sewing to designing and sewing traditional clothes 6 years ago.
In particular, she often wears and designs wedding dresses and costumes for ethnic groups such as Ede, M'ong, Xe Than... Her journey is not only a profession but also a mission to preserve culture.
Holding a brocade in her hand, Ms. Dom shared that she had to go to the villages to learn about customs and culture. She had to see with her own eyes how the brocade was woven with patterns, what its meaning was...
From then on, Ms. Dam started to work with applying brocade to her outfit to suit the typical style and patterns of each ethnic group.
"Each ethnic group has its own culture. For example, the pattern on the Uyghur costume is often black with red or blue patterns. Therefore, I have to research to blend the beauty of tradition with the needs of the modern market," Ms. Dam shared.
According to Ms. Dom, in addition to having to preserve the traditional brocade costumes of each ethnic group, she also grasps modern fashion trends to reach customers. In addition, she also knows how to apply brocade patterns to modern materials such as felt.
With the above approach, the outfit not only enhances the figure but also exudes the spirit and pride in the nation of the wearer. It is an indispensable part of the culture of each community, contributing to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values of ethnic groups.
Thanks to the above variations and combinations, her products meet her aesthetic needs and are suitable for customers' budgets.
According to Ms. Dam, a traditional handmade costume costs about 2 million VND. While Ms. Doi's product is only about 800 thousand VND.
"The price is lower but still retains beauty and comfort. This is both suitable for customers' budgets and preserves traditional culture," said Ms. Dam.
In addition to dresses and shirts, Ms. Dom also puts brocade patterns on other products such as hats, handbags of all kinds...
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dam is not simply a tailor but also a cultural preserver. Through applying brocade culture to costumes, Ms. Dam helps many people find pride in national costumes.
"Every time customers wear my products and praise me, I feel like I am contributing to preserving the cultural identity of the Central Highlands," Ms. Dam shared with her eyes full of enthusiasm.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dam's journey is not only a story about sewing, but also a journey to preserve and honor national culture.
She has turned the nose lines into a bridge between the past and the present, between traditional culture and modern needs.
