Model Thuy "Ma Cay": A mother in her 50s still shows off Ao Dai

(Dan Tri) - Busy taking care of her 22-month-old child, former model Tran Le Thuy still finds time to go on stage. She used to want to give up the nickname Thuy "Ma Cay", but now she is proud that this name has become her own brand.

Tran Le Thuy, also known as Thuy "Ma Cay" is one of the first generation of models from Hanoi , making a strong impression on the catwalk in the 1990s-2000s. She is a contemporary of models: Thuy Hang, Thuy Hanh, Xuan Lan, Anh Thu and Chung Vu Thanh Uyen...

She has appeared frequently in VTV3's Fashion and Life programs and many major domestic events as well as exchange performances in Singapore, Japan, the US...

On the evening of November 15, at the launch of the Ao Dai collection "30-year journey to honor the heritage of Vietnamese Ao Dai" in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Le Thuy shared with Dan Tri reporter that the name Thuy "Ma Cay" was associated with her early days on the catwalk, originating from her skinny figure, long legs and unique performance style.

"At that time, I was 1.72m tall but only weighed 47kg, my limbs were as skinny as sticks. As soon as photographer Xuan Dong saw me, he immediately gave me this name, inspired by the movie Ma Cay which was famous at that time," she recounted.

Le Thuy shared more: "Even though I wanted to change my nickname many times, people still call me Thuy "Ma Cay", so I have to consider this as a personal brand, both familiar and unique, becoming an unforgettable mark in the hearts of the public."

Since then, this nickname has been associated with her career and gradually become her own brand in the modeling industry. Not only standing out on the catwalk, Le Thuy is also a familiar face in many fashion publications and is trusted by designers to create important collections.

Tran Le Thuy performed at the launch of the collection "30-year journey to honor the heritage of Vietnamese ao dai" by designer David Minh Duc in Hanoi on the evening of November 15 (Photo: Character provided).

After getting married, she left the spotlight to move into the media and events field, and took on the role of training young models, contestants, and beauties in body shape and performance skills.

Le Thuy also revealed that she has just adopted a 22-month-old baby boy. Despite being nearly 50 years old and having to spend a lot of time taking care of her young child, she still arranges to participate in meaningful programs when receiving invitations from the organizers.

“Although I am busy being a mother, if I have the opportunity to participate in artistic or social activities, I always try to arrange my family work to participate. I still love my job very much,” Le Thuy expressed.

Recalling her early days as a model, Tran Le Thuy said that the first time she stood on the catwalk was in 1994. At that time, she felt nervous on the big stage, having never performed in front of a crowd.

However, through training sessions and experiences on the catwalk, she gradually found joy and meaning in her career, when she could convey messages from each designer's collection.

The former model in her 50s still maintains a professional demeanor and radiant look when appearing on the catwalk (Photo: Character provided).

The most memorable moment in Tran Le Thuy's career was the trip to Japan in 2000, when designer Minh Hanh chose her to perform in Ao Dai at the World Expo.

“The audience applauded continuously from the moment we appeared until we went backstage. Especially when I learned that high-ranking leaders and the Japanese government were also present, I felt the respect they had for Vietnamese heritage. Even though 25 years have passed, every time I recall that day, the emotions still come flooding back as if it were yesterday,” Le Thuy said emotionally.

Tran Le Thuy (2nd from right) and models in designer David Minh Duc's designs took a souvenir photo together after the show (Photo: Character provided).

From her enduring love for the profession and years of dedication to the catwalk, Tran Le Thuy continues to show her passion when participating in the Ao Dai collection "30-year journey to honor the heritage of Vietnamese Ao Dai" by designer David Minh Duc.

The collection includes 50 Ao Dai designs, crafted from typical Asian materials such as Ha Dong silk, Tan Chau satin, Korean organza silk, Indian taffeta or Shanghai brocade, combining elaborate hand-embroidered motifs, folk colors and bold cuts while still maintaining the Vietnamese spirit.

The idea for the collection originated from designer David Minh Duc's visit to the Fujian Assembly Hall in Hanoi's Old Quarter, where he was moved by the image of Thien Hau Thanh Mau. After months of research, he completed the Vietnamese costumes dedicated to the Mother Goddess, combining fashion with spirituality, culture and profound spiritual values.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/nguoi-mau-thuy-ma-cay-me-bim-u50-van-trinh-dien-ao-dai-20251116191716113.htm