I first encountered Linh Phương's "work" not at a fashion show, but at an art performance. At that time, a female singer stepped onto the stage in an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) adorned with delicate brocade patterns that were both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar because of the colors and patterns; unfamiliar because of the modern, elegant combination that still retained traditional elements. I wondered: Who was the person who brought brocade onto the stage in such a simple yet captivating way?
Out of curiosity, I arranged to meet Linh Phuong – the woman behind those designs that breathe the spirit of the highlands – to hear her share her love for brocade and her journey in the craft. The meeting took place one afternoon at her small workshop in Yen Bai ward. It wasn't elaborate or lavishly displayed; the workshop only had a few sewing machines, cutting tables, and colorful fabrics. Linh Phuong spoke to me gently and openly, talking about brocade with the enthusiasm of someone recounting a familiar story that had been with her since childhood.
Born in Muong Lo, a region rich in ethnic cultural traditions, Linh Phuong was familiar with the sight of her mother and grandmother sitting by the loom from a young age. However, her passion for brocade weaving came from a business trip to the highlands. She said that amidst the vast green mountains and forests, those patterns seemed to possess a life of their own, making the entire landscape brighter. She was captivated by that beauty, and from then on, brocade weaving became a part of her work and her life.
That love has stayed with Linh Phuong throughout her more than ten years in the profession. For her, each design is not just a fashion product, but also a way to preserve and tell the story of national culture. “Designing brocade requires patience; every stitch, every pattern is woven by the hands of women, each with its own unique breath. When incorporating it into designs, I always respect that, not cutting and pasting arbitrarily, but choosing to honor the original simplicity,” Linh Phuong shared.
Therefore, in her collections, brocade is never the "main character," but only subtly embellished on the collar, sleeve edges, or belt, skillfully incorporating its cultural identity into modern life without making the wearer feel detached. Ms. Vu Thi Quy, a close associate of Linh Phuong since the beginning of her career, said: "Phuong works with genuine passion. Whenever she has a new brocade fabric, she can sit for hours just thinking about where to place the patterns and how to combine colors harmoniously. Working with Phuong, I've come to love brocade even more."
To date, Linh Phuong has created over 100 collections, with names that evoke the spirit of Northwest Vietnam: "Sacred Red Mountains," "Enchanting Mountain Landscapes," "Weaving Colors of the High Mountains," "Season of Flowers Weaving Sunshine," etc. Each collection tells a story about the people, the mountains and forests, and the enduring values in the lives of the ethnic people.
Not only appearing in art programs or cultural festivals, Linh Phương's brocade costumes are also chosen by many artists for performances. Choreographer Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai shared: "Linh Phương's costumes make the performers more confident, skillfully combining ethnic and modern elements, helping to highlight their charm and cultural pride."
For younger customers like Cao Thùy Dung, Linh Phương's designs have a different appeal: "I like them because they are approachable yet elegant. The unique combination of tradition and modernity gives us a distinct style. Perhaps it's because Ms. Phương puts her heart into her work that the designs have a soul."
When asked what keeps her dedicated to brocade weaving, Linh Phuong smiled and said, "Each brocade pattern has its own soul, not just a decorative motif, but also a memory, a story of the village. I want to bring those memories out of the loom and integrate them into today's life." It is known that Linh Phuong plans to develop more practical products in the future, such as shirts, office dresses, and casual wear, so that people can wear brocade every day.
I left the workshop as dusk was falling. Through the window, I could still see her meticulously working with her needle and thread. Amidst the low hum of the sewing machine, the shimmering light on the brocade thread reflected her never-ending passion.
Through Linh Phuong's hands, brocade is not just a memory or a cultural heritage, but has become the very breath of the present, imbued with a beauty that is both fresh and familiar. Thanks to people like Linh Phuong, brocade has truly stepped out of the village looms, taking on a new, modern look while still retaining the soul of Vietnam.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/linh-phuong-va-hanh-trinh-danh-thuc-sac-mau-tho-cam-post884788.html
Comment (0)