10/23

How did your career start?

My incredible journey in the world of fashion ignited with a deep-seated passion that has coursed through my veins since time immemorial. The siren call of the fashion world led me to the bustling streets of New York City at the tender age of 17, where I began my transformative path, diligently studying fashion management, ethics, and sustainability.

Adapting to the vibrant cosmopolitan of New York, though arduous initially, was a voyage of growth and self-discovery. As a young dreamer, the stark contrast between my roots in Vietnam and the bustling metropolis of New York presented me with a beautiful challenge. I hold a profound appreciation for the Fashion Institute of Technology, a beacon of enlightenment that bestowed upon me myriad opportunities.
In the heart of New York, I found not only a city of towering skyscrapers but also a magnificent reservoir of creative talents in the fashion industry. The relationships I forged with these brilliant individuals have been a testament to the power of networking and knowledge. It is through these connections that I believe I can access the zenith of my aspirations.

Today, I stand as a multimedia creative, representing the spirited voice of the Gen Z generation. My portfolio of experiences is a tapestry woven with threads of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, spanning across the grandeur of New York, the elegance of Paris, and the enchantment of Asia.

Tell us a little about this shoot.

Besides New York and Paris, my fashion odyssey is uniquely flavored by my lineage—a fusion of my Chinese father's heritage and my Vietnamese mother's roots—This harmonious blend has organically beckoned me to embrace and share our enchanting culture with the world. To me, the pursuit of unraveling the historical aspect of a culture is a wholehearted yearning for authentic human connections, bridging our beings with the universe.

In the present moment, I find myself immersed in the captivating landscape of Vietnam. It is here that I have had the privilege of engaging in heartfelt conversations with remarkable visionaries within the fashion industry. What resonated intensely in these discussions was the notion that, in our rapidly industrializing world, we often overlook the beauty in simplicity, a side effect of the modern pace. In our conversations, we delved into the precious world of forgotten heritage textiles and the exquisite rarity of Vietnam's 'Lanh My A' – often referred to as 'the queen of all varieties of silk.' The enchantment of this silk, with its leather-like sheen and the lingering earthy fragrance, derived from the natural dye of diospyros mollis fruit, stirred my soul. Every facet of its production exudes sustainability and craftsmanship, which leaves me utterly spellbound. As the art of meticulously crafting this exceptionally rare silk demands an intricate tapestry of skills and devotion, it is with a heavy heart that we witness the younger generation hesitating to tread the path of this culturally enriched profession. The risk of irretrievable loss looms over the preservation of this cherished heritage.

This experience inspires me to embark on this photoshoot that embodies my great appreciation for our shared human history, the beauty of nature, and the dynamism of modernity. This endeavor seeks to rekindle an awareness of the forgotten elegance of bygone eras while championing sustainability with a youthful twist. Fashion, in my eyes, transcends fleeting trends. It's a story of artistry, a tribute to the love and dedication poured into each garment.

What inspires you?

In our fast-paced world, it's a somber reality that the relentless speed of life often blinds us to the profound beauty of meaning. The scourge of fast fashion is a glaring exposition that reveals dire consequences, including the loss of biodiversity, the pollution of our air and water, modern-day slavery in sweatshops, and a heartbreaking trail of waste. As we sprint through the race of modernization, we unwittingly take life's treasures for granted, diminishing our capacity for gratitude. It's a disheartening cycle: the devaluation of gratitude begets the incapacity to experience true happiness. Overconsumption emerges from our insatiable hunger, driven by the overstimulation of microtrends and social media. In the pursuit of fleeting pleasures like shopping, we delude ourselves into believing that happiness is just a destination and huntable. In fact, happiness is the result of gratefulness.

Remarkably, in the wisdom of my Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, I have uncovered a timeless truth: "Happiness is the here and the now." This wisdom echoes in my soul, reminding me that we hold the power to pause meaningfully, even if it's just for a deep breath, because often, we are oblivious to the rhythm of our own breath.

For me, heritage textiles are not mere relics; they are treasures, a symbol of eternal beauty. Slow fashion, which represents the Lanh My A silk in this project, is anchored in two sacred principles of both elegance and sustainability. Firstly, it vehemently rejects the idea of clothing as a disposable commodity. Instead, textile creations are hailed as heirlooms, destined never to meet the ignoble fate of a landfill. They are designed with a vision of rebirth and renewal, destined to be perpetually reimagined in new forms. Secondly, slow fashion extols the virtue of quality over quantity, embracing the culture of craftsmanship and enduring value over mindless accumulation. This is a manifesto of elegance, a hymn to sustainability, and a reminder that we can, indeed, find deep meaning in the simple art of savoring life's treasures and practicing gratitude. 

I firmly believe that the future holds a shift in perspective, where more individuals will gravitate towards the allure of slow fashion and sustainable living, leaving behind the environmental perils of fast fashion. When I gaze upon a garment, I aspire to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude – gratitude for nature's bounty, the ingenuity of designers, and the myriad ideas that birthed it into existence.

Tell us about your creative plans.

At this very moment, my soul is ablaze with the passionate creation of a book, a magnum opus that pulsates with the lifeblood of sustainable fashion. Simultaneously, my creative spirit pirouettes through a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of other vibrant projects—each delicate brushstroke gracefully etched upon the canvas of my existence. In the hushed stillness of the present, I unearth a wellspring of boundless potential, awaiting its moment to unfurl. Within the 'here and now,' I cradle a powerful belief: the future of the fashion industry is not an elusive dream, but a living, breathing reality. It takes root in the present, where I uncover not just inspiration, but an oasis of unbridled joy and fulfillment. Guided by an optimism, I have set my compass towards a resolute mission. I am poised to unveil transformative projects to the world. These are not mere undertakings; they are living testimony to the metamorphosis I aspire to ignite within the global fashion landscape. With each stitch, each word, and each creation, I yearn to cast a ripple that transcends the present, shaping a future that gleams with brilliance and sustainability, for all.