Looking back at the journey from school sketches to being on the official schedule of Milan Fashion Week, in your opinion, what are the core rules that a young designer (NTK) needs to master to not be overwhelmed by international standards?
- In fact, there is no fixed rule of the game, because international Fashion Weeks (TLTT) are currently opening their doors to new talents. However, for appearances not to stop at just strolling around, designers need to meet strict criteria: Breakthrough creativity, clear brand journey, uniqueness and most importantly financial resources.
Organizing a show abroad is extremely expensive. To pass the review of long-standing organizers such as Milan or Paris, you must prove your meticulousness, methodicalness and have advice from leading industry experts. Once you are in the same ranks as the world's leading fashion houses, the special thing is the only passport.
International experts often value extreme creativity, but the market needs applicability. How do you balance this problem so that Vietnamese-inspired designs still convince demanding "Buyers" in Europe?
- Having been formally trained in Italy, I am imbued with the spirit of "Ready-to-wear". Empires like Gucci, Fendi or Bottega Veneta are successful thanks to their excellent ability to balance art and reality.
I learn how to separate collections: Arrange compositions interwoven between highly performance designs and items with practical applicability. I "collect" valuable details from special creations to put into everyday clothes. Customers are very open nowadays, they are willing to wear clothes that are a bit "weird" if they tell a personal story. The spirit of learning and observing how big fashion houses operate is the key for me to bring Vietnamese identity into the contemporary fashion flow in the most smooth way.
Many people think that Vietnamese fashion going to the world only needs to be "strange" with folk materials. From practical experience, what modern "spice" do you think we need to add to make Vietnamese identity truly become a high-end fashion language?
- Folk materials are a priceless treasure, but if we just take them verbatim, it is not enough. We need to research and tinker to transform that element into modern language. It could be a combination of traditional handicraft techniques with the perspective of contemporary artists, or incorporating shapes with international breath.
Spice" here is new aesthetic thinking and the ability to apply technology in processing materials, making familiar things luxurious and trendy.
For Vietnamese fashion to be recognized on the world map, what kind of linkage is needed between designers, producers and cultural organizations?
- It's a pity that we don't have a true fashion industry. I believe that collective strength will be formed when we have dedicated leaders, creating a common playground to "fight in foreign lands" together. Vietnamese fashion is very potential, what we lack is a global communication strategy and real connection with the purchasing world.
