Twenty-five years ago, I embarked on my first journey abroad. In those days, cities like Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Singapore, Istanbul, or Sydney had their own distinct fashion styles. However, the rise of fast fashion has significantly transformed the way people dress today.. It seems as though our sense of identity has been taken away from us.
As a fashion stylist, I really enjoy traveling to different provinces and distant places. People there have a strong connection with nature, and you can feel the genuine and authentic vibes. It’s awesome that different pieces of clothing always come back in style and vintage culture is receiving greater appreciation. But what truly captivates me is witnessing the revival of traditional clothing blended with modern style!
As we go through life, we learn to respect and love our home countries and value our own cultures. Interestingly, the more connected we feel to our roots, the more we come to appreciate and respect different cultures from around the world. In this column, I would like to take you on a journey across the globe, where we can witness the incredible impact of traditional craftsmanship on shaping the future of the fashion industry. Our first stop is Vietnam, where we explore the talents of artisans and fully immerse ourselves in the vibrant local fashion scene.
As we discover the lively capital, we can’t miss mentioning Thao Vu, a talented fashion designer and eco-entrepreneur. She is a leading figure among a group of young designers who have made Hanoi an emerging creative hub.
Thao works closely with local craft artisans from different parts of Vietnam to create Kilomet109 fabrics. They work together to grow, spin, weave, print, and naturally dye the fabrics. Thao then personally hand-stitches the garments in her Hanoi design studio. It’s a unique kind of ready-to-wear couture that is handmade, using only locally sourced materials and homegrown eco-friendly dyes. Unlike clothes made by machines, these garments are crafted by skilled artisans, making each piece a one-of-a-kind work of art.
If you’re eager to experience the true essence of Vietnam, we’ve discovered another brand that specializes in crafting unique fabric designs inspired by Vietnamese landscapes and traditional folklore. Metiseko is a local brand that supports local production by local people. When you’re in the old town of Hoi An, you won’t be able to miss their magical store that will leave you breathless.
Their authentic collection features beautiful lacquer silk fabric. The fabric is dyed in the Tan Chau region and produced in Bao Loc, a Vietnamese village known for raising excellent silkworms from Japan’s Fuji Mountain.
The skilled artisans use a special method to make the lacquer silk. They start by dipping the silk twill into sap made from Diospyros mollis fruit. After that, they wash the fabric in the Mekong River to remove any extra dye. Then, they use a big hammer to carefully beat the fabric, making sure the sap gets deeply absorbed into the silk and giving it a shiny look. They repeat these steps for 45 days until the fabric is perfect.
For more edgy looks, you should check out the Moi Dien collection. It’s a popular eco-friendly fashion brand in Vietnam, led by the talented designer Tom Tran.
Over the yers, his studio became a cozy space for a group of local designers who love making clothes. Their designs are all about trying new things and being eco-friendly. When they first started, they didn’t have a lot of resources, so they began using leftover or donated fabrics and materials that would have been thrown away. They believe in being sustainable and finding inspiration in giving these materials a new life instead of wasting them.
The final brand I want to introduce is Thuy Design House, a truly authentic and vibrant brand that combines Vietnamese traditions and creativity. The dresses are often described as works of art, resembling wearable paintings. It’s no surprise, considering the designer behind the label, Thuy Nguyen, is a talented painter who graduated from Hanoi Fine Art University.
There are many other fascinating and inspiring designers creating couture for A-list celebrities worldwide. Vietnam is a country full of surprises and definitely worth visiting to experience nature and fantastic fashion.
By Russ Ev
