Artisan Nam Tuyen - a person passionate about preserving the five-panel ao dai

With the desire to honor the beauty of the five-panel ao dai and bring this traditional costume closer to modern life, artisan Nam Tuyen has launched two new collections called 'Flower Petals' and 'Fragrance of Time' for both men and women.

Two new collections by artisan Nam Tuyen blend tradition and modernity. PHOTO: NVCC

A journey full of worries and love with the five-panel ao dai

Since 2019, after establishing his name with the wedding dress brand, artisan Nam Tuyen has focused on developing the five-panel ao dai segment. With nearly 40 years of experience, he has always wondered how to bring a modern breath to the traditional ao dai.

Artisan Nam Tuyen shared that the innovation of the ao dai needs to be based on the core elements and quintessence of the dress: “If we create too much and lose the lines of the ao dai and use it as the ao dai, it is not appropriate.” Therefore, he has kept the simple but sophisticated appearance of the five-panel ao dai that his father used a hundred years ago, while constantly researching and creating more suitable patterns so that the ao dai can be worn more often, not just on holidays.

The five-panel ao dai is not only for women but also a traditional costume for men. With five panels symbolizing the five virtues (benevolence, courtesy, righteousness, wisdom, and trustworthiness), the five-panel ao dai is a symbol of solemnity, elegance, and standards. PHOTO: NVCC

The two newly launched collections carry two different emotional streams but share the same spirit. The collection The Petals is inspired by Western abstract paintings and colors. Artist Nam Tuyen incorporates romantic embroidered floral motifs into the five-panel dress, symbolizing the beauty of nature and the desire to reach new things.

The scent and color of time is a melody of shapes and depth, with the elegant, luxurious shape of Western classical art. Each sleeve is stylized like a flower, interwoven with sophisticated embroidery details, while the traditional collar is replaced by graceful long bows. Both collections demonstrate the constant movement of the five-panel ao dai, turning this costume into a living heritage in today's cultural flow.

Nam Tuyen Ao Dai (blue, left) in the Vietnamese costume exhibition "Guinness Record Road" - The Brother Overcame a Thousand Thorns organized by Bach Hoa Bo Hanh

PHOTO: NVCC

Cultural values ​​are the key to the return of the ao dai

Contrary to what many people think, the revival and strong return of the five-panel ao dai in contemporary life is not due to the older generation, but thanks to the efforts of young people. They have quietly researched and discovered the hidden beauty of this traditional costume. The enthusiastic reception of young people not only helps the five-panel ao dai escape oblivion but also opens up a new direction for the ao dai.

According to Mr. Nam Tuyen, in recent years, with the development of the internet, young people have exploited images and documents from museums, especially museums in France, to learn about the five-panel ao dai. They have realized that the five-panel ao dai, especially the versions from the Nguyen Dynasty, have a delicate and unique beauty. Thanks to these discoveries , young people have formed groups, sewed and worn them themselves, and even built their own brands to bring the five-panel ao dai closer to the public. They are not only pioneers but also advocates, convincing their parents and the older generation to wear and love this costume.

Young people are gradually bringing the five-panel ao dai back into life, turning it into not only a cultural heritage but also a fashion symbol imbued with national spirit. PHOTO: NVCC

For the ao ngu than to truly make a strong comeback in life, the key is not to follow trends, but to help people understand the historical and cultural values ​​it carries. Only when every Vietnamese person understands and appreciates those traditional values, can the ao ngu than revive sustainably. Otherwise, it will just be a passing turn in today's turbulent fashion world .

Artisan Nam Tuyen's real name is Pham Van Tuyen, born in 1969 in Thai Binh (now Hung Yen province). He taught himself to sew since he was young and started his career in Ho Chi Minh City in the 90s of the last century. His special love for ao dai has inspired him to research and improve, especially after a field trip to Thanh Hoa in 2019, he created five-panel ao dai made to size, which were highly appreciated by many people.

He said that participating in organizations such as the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association and the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Heritage Association reminded him of his responsibility to spread the love of the five-panel ao dai to the public even more, so that this heritage is always respected and promoted in modern life.

Five-panel Ao Dai Artisan Nam Tuyen Traditional Costume

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-trang-tre/nghe-nhan-nam-tuyen-nguoi-dam-me-gin-giu-ao-dai-ngu-than-185250828215704395.htm