Designer Phan Dang Hoang: 'I was not born into a noble family'

(Dan Tri) - Phan Dang Hoang studied fashion in Italy and returned to Vietnam to build his own brand. Many people think that the young designer was born into wealth, but he revealed that his family is very ordinary.

After breakfast with his friends, Phan Dang Hoang hurried to the workshop. Normally, he takes the weekend off, but that was an exception. The room of less than 30 square meters in an old apartment building in Hanoi is where Phan Dang Hoang works, creating designs that bear his personal mark. Just 2 months ago, he was still busy in Italy preparing to launch his "Sculpture" collection at Milan Fashion Week . Hoang graduated from fashion school in Italy and now has his own brand named after him. That's why many people think he was "born at the finish line". During a conversation of less than an hour at the workshop, the young designer mentioned this rumor.

Stand in a place where not everyone can go in or out.

How is Phan Dang Hoang's life after returning from Italy? - When I returned to Vietnam, I faced a completely different environment and a different way of working. I used Vietnamese to communicate instead of English like usual (laughs).

Was Hoang shocked when he started to integrate into the domestic fashion market? - I was born in Nghe An, without the conditions to be exposed to a modern environment. When I went to Italy, I was able to get used to a completely new place, so why couldn't I integrate back home? Of course, I couldn't avoid the initial confusion because the way domestic fashion operates is very different from international. However, everything has a trade-off. I accept it to achieve the results I want. After graduating, why didn't Hoang choose to develop his career in Italy before returning to Vietnam? - I worked in Italy for a long time and thought I needed a little change in environment. Moreover, the whole world is facing an economic crisis. If I stayed, I would have to consider working for an international brand. Because opening my own business is very difficult, involving a lot of procedures and paperwork. I returned to realize my dream of building my own brand. Recently, I also participated in the official schedule of Milan fashion week . Leaving Italy does not mean I do nothing related anymore. To appear at "Milan fashion week", how much money did Hoang have to prepare? - In fact, people with money are not necessarily able to perform in the Milan fashion week schedule. To stand with many big fashion houses with hundreds of years of history, how much money is enough? To stand in a place where they recognize your ability, you must first have the ability. The design must convince the professional council. Not everyone can come and go as they please. Up to now, I have never spent money to appear there. I have participated in the Milan fashion week schedule 5 times. That is a long journey so the council may have considered this factor. Many young designers are aiming to enter the international market. Meanwhile, Hoang chose to return. Hoang thinks he is on the right track? - Each person will have their own direction. There is no right or wrong path. I returned to develop the brand to make it easier to operate.

"My family is very normal"

Having just graduated in Italy and returned to Vietnam to open his own brand, where did Phan Dang Hoang get the capital? Some people say that people who study fashion abroad are "born at the finish line", what does Hoang think? - I participate in projects with many brands. Sometimes, I receive support from my family. If we ignore this factor, there would definitely be no Phan Dang Hoang today. Because when I was studying, I didn't have time to work part-time. My family is very normal, my mother works for the government, my father works in the construction industry. People often say that I come from a "noble" family, so I went abroad to study fashion. In fact, my parents just work normally, know how to save and give me the best.

What advice does Hoang have for young people who want to pursue a career in fashion but don't have the means? - I often joke that if I hate someone, I will advise them to start a fashion business. That statement is half-truthful, half-joking. Studying this major is very expensive. I was not good at English until I worked hard to get an IELTS certificate to study abroad. After that, I became the only Vietnamese student to attend Milan fashion week . I started from things that I had not been recognized for until I stepped onto the catwalk. It was a long process. Hoang often calls himself a creative director instead of a designer. This title is quite strange in the Vietnamese market. What is Hoang's opinion on this? - If I hold the title of designer, the brand will only be related to me. The Phan Dang Hoang brand is not just mine. It is the dedication of all staff. As a creative director, I will orient the brand to have its own color. In Vietnam, people may not be used to working with a creative director. This is the person responsible for doing the right thing, sticking to the brand DNA but at the same time injecting personal color into it. That is a very important factor in creating a legacy. For example, if I no longer do design, who will replace me? I think a little further instead of thinking short-term that the brand bears my name, I will have to design for the rest of my life.

I started from things that I was not recognized for. From a bad English learner, I tried to get an IELTS certificate to study abroad.

Phan Dang Hoang - Designer

Why did Hoang choose to start a business in Hanoi instead of a bustling market like Ho Chi Minh City? Is Hoang afraid of the fiercely competitive environment? - Hanoi has a slow, ancient pace of life and many French architectures and historical relics. I find myself integrating with the "soul" of this place. Recently, I discovered that many of my customers are in Hanoi. That is also fate. There are not many events here. But I think that is also a favorable factor to do outstanding things.

Choose beauty queen as vedette in the show

Phan Dang Hoang's latest collection "Sculpture" is inspired by the art of sculpture. Why did Hoang have this idea? - I was born into a family with an artistic tradition. My maternal grandparents were members of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. My mother studied music pedagogy. Therefore, traditional art permeates every cell of my body. When I was looking for ideas, I was attracted by the story of sculptor Diem Phung Thi. It was not until she was 40 years old that her talent was revealed and recognized by the world. It is a story of living with passion, regardless of age. The women associated with my brand are always independent, free, and liberal. Luong Thuy Linh recently took on the vedette position in Hoang's show in Vietnam. Why did Hoang choose beauty queens to play such an important role? - It is an undeniable fact that beauty queens often take the spotlight (stand out from the crowd) in Vietnam (laughs). The beauty industry in Vietnam is very interested. Important positions in shows are often reserved for beauty queens. However, Linh has a very high fashion face, not a beauty queen 100%. She is my close friend and also has a good height. Linh walks very "round", without any faults. I am very strict in choosing models, requiring them to walk in the right music and spirit. Many times, I demand international standards but still cannot get them. This is what I have to adapt to when I return home. Does Hoang think the moment he met "iron lady" Anna Wintour and received compliments from her was the moment his position changed? - At that time, she only briefly passed by because of her busy schedule. I had a minute to talk about the collection. But that was enough to make a mark in my career. Meeting her was a launching pad in my journey. But that was not all. Even though I don't see her, I still have to move on.

Competition is inevitable in business or other fields. But in creativity, I think using other people's success to put pressure on yourself is a failure. If they succeed, you also have your own path.

Phan Dang Hoang - Designer

At the age of 23, what plans does Hoang have to develop and compete with the veteran names? - I do not have any power behind me. In the past, I have proven it with my strength and the future will be the same. I am not here to compete with anyone. If I have to worry about this, it is a failure. 5 years ago, when I went to fashion school, no one knew who I was. Now, everyone at least remembers the name Phan Dang Hoang. Phan Dang Hoang (born 2000, Nghe An) graduated with honors from Nouva Accademia Di Belle Arti University (NABA) in Italy. He has had the opportunity to meet the most powerful woman in the world of fashion three times, editor-in-chief of Vogue fashion magazine - Anna Wintour. The young designer's creations have appeared in foreign magazines, including Vogue Italia. Phan Dang Hoang is the first Vietnamese brand to perform at Milan Fashion Week , Italy. Recently, his "Sculpture" collection was also launched at one of the world's top 4 fashion weeks.

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