Vietnamese designer and sustainable fashion philosophy

Amidst the glittering lights of New York Fashion Week, a "river" from the East whispered the story of a generation of Vietnamese designers who are bringing Vietnamese identity and sustainable fashion philosophy to the world.

The "Made in Vietnam" factor is not a barrier but a fulcrum

For decades, "Made in Vietnam" has appeared on clothing labels around the world as a guarantee of precise sewing techniques, competitive prices and sustainable productivity. However, most of these products are the result of outsourcing, invisibly associating Vietnam with the image of a "factory" rather than a "storyteller through fashion ".

Designer Le Bao, owner of the brand Été Project, with a silk dress

PHOTO: Provided by the designer

According to designer Pham Ngoc Anh (brand La Pham), now the "Made in Vietnam" factor is not a barrier but a support. All materials in La Pham's collection when attending New York Fashion Week (NYFSW) are 100% from Vietnam, from Bao Loc silk, Pa Co brocade, Nga Son water hyacinth bags to recycled handmade jewelry, all designed and completed by Vietnamese hands from artisans, tailors to the creative team. "We want to prove that "Made in Vietnam" can absolutely become a unique mark and pride, competitive and on par with international brands," said the designer.

Designer Le Bao and his colleagues after a fashion show

PHOTO: Provided by the designer

The emergence of independent Vietnamese brands in recent decades has gradually proven that. La Pham with global aspirations and Moriko with sustainable green philosophy. Été Project chooses a different approach: designs are created in small batches, with limited production to reduce waste, encouraging users to choose slowly and appreciate each product. What all three have in common is their steadfastness with sustainable values, transparency, respect for manual labor, reducing environmental impact while still developing their own aesthetic language with a Vietnamese mark.

Ao dai, dresses... with linen dyed from tropical fruit peels such as mangosteen, pineapple... and hand-embroidered motifs - a way for Moriko to bring traditional handicrafts closer to customers

PHOTO: Provided by the designer

Timeless products

"When it comes to sustainability, people often think of environmentally friendly materials or production processes that minimize waste. But for me, sustainability in fashion is not only about material but also includes spiritual factors. A design is only truly sustainable when it touches the wearer's heart, making them want to preserve and cherish it for a long time, instead of quickly discarding it as a trendy item," said designer Pham Ngoc Anh.

Été Project pursues a philosophy of sustainability in a very quiet but deliberate way: slow down, do less and do it meaningfully. The brand chooses limited production to avoid excess, focusing on a handcrafted process where every detail is carefully considered instead of chasing speed or short-term trends. Silk materials are selected based on natural, sustainable and safe criteria, aiming for a long life cycle. Été Project also values ​​artistry and emotion in design; each product is like a small "summer" - light, delicate and capable of accompanying the wearer for many years without going out of style. Sustainability for Été Project is not only about reducing environmental impact but also about cultivating a slow lifestyle, appreciating and preserving beauty.

La Pham continues to affirm its identity through Vietnamese materials and sustainable fashion philosophy.

PHOTO: Provided by the designer

The Moriko brand "quietly" weaves a different story. With linen, silk, hemp and an organic color palette from nature, Moriko reminds us that fashion can also be a way of living green. Instead of rushing to follow trends, this brand invites wearers to return to quiet colors, slow hand-dyed fabrics, where each product is not just an object, but also a breath of nature. When natural materials and an environmentally friendly lifestyle become popular, Hoang An - the founder of Moriko, realized that the whole team had more work to do, more goals to aim for, and the brand was on the way forward. Hoang An shared: "Hand embroidery is a way for us to bring traditional handicrafts closer to customers in modern life. The moderate, familiar and pretty embroidery patterns help you use the item for more purposes, not just to wear on special occasions. Moriko makes use of every scrap of fabric to avoid waste, sometimes to make buttons, sometimes to give away cloth masks to customers... cutting every excess thread, cherishing each item made to deliver to customers in the most neat way possible."

Designer Le Bao, owner of the brand Été Project, said: Silk, brocade and hand-embroidered motifs always have a special appeal. Because behind each piece of fabric, each needle and thread is the breath of human hands, cultural memories and sophistication passed down through many generations. It is the absolute imperfection, the slight variation of the thread or the bounce of the material that creates truly unique and emotional beauty. These handmade values ​​not only attract attention in contemporary fashion but also affirm one thing: beauty from human hands is always unique, and that is something that AI cannot replace.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-thiet-ke-viet-va-triet-ly-thoi-trang-ben-vung-185251115210751124.htm