I and many people know that you were born, raised and started your fashion career in Hanoi. But it seems that your career has flourished and become more brilliant since you moved to the South . Is the land of Saigon more "favorable in terms of time and location " for designer Ha Linh Thu ?
- I have been in Saigon for 3 years, entering my 4th year. It is true that my name has spread further in Saigon. But that does not mean that I did not have a name before. My name in the fashion industry is known to everyone, actually built in Hanoi - the cradle that nurtured and created me. However, it was only when I came to Saigon that the spread became wider, better and more brilliant. Saigon is truly a wonderful land for me to flourish and take off. But to be very sincere: Saigon is for everyone, not just me. That is the reason why people often "go South".
What is it about Saigon that attracts a designer who is originally from Hanoi , has a deep understanding and cultural background of Hanoi , and has a family with a rich tradition of three generations all attached to art ?
- During the 3 years in Saigon, at first, I didn't go much, I still went back and forth, still playing the role of a guest. It wasn't until the Covid-19 pandemic that I stayed in Saigon more and I realized that if I chose to live in Saigon, I should be a person in Saigon, not like a guest, not knowing the way, not knowing the streets...
When I moved to Saigon, I was already middle-aged, no longer impulsive, rash or immature. I still had observations, but still had surprises. Because if I were in Saigon, I would still be a Hanoian. Suppose you go abroad, you would still be a Vietnamese living abroad, still keeping your qualities, culture and traditions.
I realized that in Saigon or anywhere else, I am first and foremost an immigrant. When I come to that land and find a way to live, survive and succeed, there is something new and interesting that I need to learn and adapt to. But on that path of learning and adapting, I still have to keep my own qualities as much as possible. If I left at the age of 20-30, I might not have to change myself to become something other than myself. Now, I change to adapt, but not to change my personality.
You said that you don't change your personality, but do your designs have to change according to the dressing style of Saigon people ?
- I haven't changed yet, but I'm conquering Saigon people with Hanoian designs. And I'm also successful because of that. People accept me from that perspective, not because they're looking for a designer named Ha Linh Thu with Saigon style. People come to Ha Linh Thu because I'm a Hanoian designer. Even Hanoians and Northerners like Hanoian spirit and Northern spirit because they've lived in Saigon for so long; Saigonese also like a Hanoian style.
A friend wrote about me: "When the silk lady "moved to the South", I said silk was fine but velvet was too hot, no one wore velvet. I don't know what spell Thu cast on me, but now everyone in Saigon wears velvet." I thank her for that. So now I think I don't need to change, but must conquer Saigon with the essence of Hanoi, of Hanoians.
Your products are mainly designed on velvet and silk materials . And it seems that you have " positioned " yourself in the Vietnamese fashion market as a "velvet and silk woman ". So what is your opinion about being a " velvet and silk woman "?
- Actually, I am very lucky. The first luck was having worked as an artist at Lao Dong newspaper. There, one could say, there were "big trees", intellectuals, the elite of Hanoi, of Vietnam. That process created for me many good values, learning from respectable, excellent people. I enjoyed and am grateful for that.
That period of youth helped me find the path, which is velvet, in both senses. Literally, it means the material - velvet and silk. But velvet is also a lifestyle, as we often say "living very velvet". Velvet here, in addition to the material factors to create a lifestyle, also means sophistication, luxury, and cultural foundation. That is very suitable for what I have experienced, being exposed to, learning from, and interacting with the most elite people to create a spirit of velvet.
Velvet also means the best. Because silk is the best of fabrics, velvet is also made from silk. Likewise, I was created a lifestyle so I also want to convey that lifestyle through the material of velvet and silk specifically. In addition, the spirit that I want to convey is the best, that is the woman of velvet and silk.
My greatest wish is to become a "luxury woman", to be recognized by everyone as a "luxury woman" and I want to spread that to all women.
I see your designs here, whether exploiting the shape of a sundress or a body-hugging dress, they all use bold cuts, openings at the waist, chest ... to help the wearer show off their body. But are you ever worried that such boldness will take away the elegance and grace of a woman ?
- This is a very good question and I am confident in answering it. I was taught fine arts in a very systematic way at the University of Industrial Fine Arts. In the past, those who studied fine arts, whether they were in school or not, of course had to learn to draw. And at first they had to draw people without clothes. They had to draw literally, that is, draw naked people, draw correctly and were not allowed to create. The same is true for those who study fine arts in countries around the world .
Talking about the beauty of women, there is nothing in the world more beautiful than a woman's body, so showing off anything is beautiful, the shoulders are beautiful, the arms are beautiful, showing off a little bit of the chest is beautiful, the waist is beautiful... I understand that partly because I am a woman, I also see the beauty of myself. I like it and so I honor the beauty of women, honor my own beauty. I know what needs to be shown off, what should be shown off. The good thing is that I am the one who dares to show off in an extremely bold way.
But that's where the "velvet" comes in. It's bold but not ostentatious. Up to now, I'm very proud of myself and everyone acknowledges that Ha Linh Thu's designs are sexy, one could say erotic, extremely bold, but they're not ordinary.
How can you balance being neat and elegant while still being very liberal ?
- We have historical relics, tangible and intangible cultural values. This lies in the intangible, meaning we cannot analyze it. It is the subtlety and soul of the artist, in the nature of each person, the subtlety of each person, which can only be felt.
Feel it, because it is art. Actually, many people confuse fashion with clothes. Fashion is art. So with art, we can only feel it, not measure it, not distinguish it, not define it.
I am very impressed with your designs in the use of colors, it is the freshness, the colors of love, art and optimism present in each outfit. But do you think that your products are not highly applicable designs?
- Actually, in business there are segments. I do not choose the popular segment, which means highly applicable. I choose the segment, which is simply a niche market. I make products with a lot of art. Just like in journalism, each newspaper still has its own readership. In music, there are people who like classical music, and there are people who like Rock music. Here we also have our own fashion lovers and this style, so I do not choose to popularize it for the majority. But that does not mean there are no readers or audiences.
For an artist , does creativity require discipline ?
- Actually, creativity is not only for artists, creativity is for everyone. For example, science and technology also need creativity to have what we have today.
Creativity is a form of intellectual labor. Some people think that creativity requires no discipline. But I think, crazy is still crazy, creative is still creative, but discipline is necessary. Because creativity is also labor, and labor must be disciplined.
I always set myself discipline. For example, I don't wake up today and I like it before I work. Fashion is a very harsh field. I have to release two collections a year and the fashion has to be the latest, otherwise people will say it's out of fashion. Customers always demand new things, they buy a dress today and come back next month asking, "What's new for me?"
So fashion is not as easy as people see because it requires constant creativity. I don't want to compare but I just give examples so that everyone can have their own comments. A writer can write regularly or only one work in their life but they can still live well because books can be reprinted many times, a piece of music is the same. But fashion is not possible if you choose to follow this path professionally.
To have a fashion show that everyone is looking forward to, I think it's not just about clothes , sound , light, but also the experience of each designer ?
- The reason why Ha Linh Thu has such sexy, seductive and beautiful cut-out products is because of her own experiences and the effort you just mentioned.
To have a show is a difficult and harsh process. Although foreign countries are hundreds of years ahead of us, they were initially the same as us, but they have done things that Vietnam is just now starting to follow. They always make collections 6 months in advance. Meanwhile, we are just starting to prepare for the Spring Summer 2023 collection. To create beautiful, good, and good things takes time, and time is too limited, so it is too hard.
Ideas are very important. For example, I have to finish the idea for the Fall Winter 2023 collection by now, but I only thought of it a few days ago. It's not easy. The hardest thing is to think of what to do. And how to prepare is an elaborate project, from what fabric to buy, what patterns to follow. Then you have to classify to start with the sound, light, location, model, who is the Vedette... It's not about choosing any beautiful woman to be the Vedette, but it has to be suitable for the nature of each collection. You have to be meticulous like that. And I'm happy with every detail. I think that's my "velvet" quality - something delicate, strict, careful, and sophisticated.
I know you are a person who loves to read books. How has your knowledge from books and cultural background helped and influenced you in your fashion designs ?
- I often get asked if I have difficulty finding design ideas. But for me, it is not too difficult because I have a foundation of knowledge through reading. I read a lot because it has been a hobby since I was a child. I am not like other girls, I do not know how to play girls' games. I spend that time reading. Accumulating knowledge since I was a child, so I am always inspired, inspired in everything, from the books I read, from trips, from exhibitions. When I go to an exhibition, I read the authors there, the artists there, that is the way to absorb knowledge.
For example, my Spring Summer 2022 collection has the theme "Welcome to the Jungle". It was inspired by a Rock song. I like Rock music and the band Guns N' Roses, at that time the song suddenly gave me a suggestion: "Great, I will make a collection with this name, with this spirit, named: Welcome to the Jungle". The story of the jungle, bringing animals into fashion products has been very popular and highly appreciated by everyone.
Until the Fall Winter 2022 collection, the theme is Beauty and the Beast, which is also a love story, a fairy tale. Anyone who reads this story will see the symbol of the story is a rose in a crystal ball. I also used the rose as the main element for the collection. I did not do anything cliché, but it actually has a story and from there it sublimates in its own way.
The upcoming Spring Summer 2023 collection is inspired by my grandfather - a people's artist, stage designer Nguyen Dinh Ham. The collection is inspired by Cheo and the Cheo lines from Thi Mau, such as: The teacher is like a fallen apple in the communal house yard/ I am like a bad girl stalking sour things. It sounds very "whore", very flirtatious, very liberal. But Vietnamese culture is also liberal.
Fashion is now a fertile land for many people . Vietnam also has some famous designers and their products have been used by many famous people in the world, for example Cong Tri, Do Manh Cuong. What do you think about the Vietnamese fashion industry in recent years ?
- I have not had the opportunity to do what Cong Tri has done, but from what Cong Tri has done, I think Vietnamese designers are not inferior to foreign ones. Just like painting, Vietnam is also recognized in the world, fashion can do the same. Looking objectively, we can be proud of Vietnamese fashion in the world.
How do you personally nurture your own uniqueness so that you don't get mixed up with anyone else?
- I don't have to put myself in a position to be like other designers, but they have to be different from me. As I said, I have been nurtured by so many things, so far I just keep going. First of all, I am originally from Hanoi, I study and read a lot. Now I am past the age of being humble, I can proudly say that at this moment I have the right to acknowledge myself, completely confident and proud of myself for having a solid cultural foundation and knowledge.
So, just be yourself, it's their business if others are like you. It's okay if they are like you by accident or want to be like you.
Many people are impressed with Ha Linh Thu because of her elegance and sophistication , but her designs always contain strength and boldness . Are there any contrasts or contradictions in her ?
- Ha Linh Thu's designs are sexy but very delicate, so there is nothing contradictory. That's the good thing because I have brought elegance into the sexiness. Everything exudes very gently, I don't have to fight with myself: oh, I'm an elegant person, why do I make it sexy. Everything is very natural in me, because if I'm an elegant person, no matter how sexy the product is, it will still be elegant.
People also noted that Ha Linh Thu's design was sexy, extremely "rude". To put it bluntly, "very rude". However, no one could say it was crude. "Rude" here is a very good word, not uneducated, spoiled, or rude. "Rude" here is a mischievous, daring and interesting thing. And no one could say anything about me, people acknowledged that it was "rude" but enjoyed it very much. That's also a compliment, I think.
People say Ha Linh Thu is an interesting unknown - she possesses a beautiful aura, strong and positive energy, and has a life that many women dream of. But currently I see that she is still single. So what is your concept of a happy woman, a successful person? Are you happy or not ?
- Do you see how happy I am?
Between what others see and what I am, I think it's different. That's why I asked you .
- I'm happy to share. I avoid defining, because I can't define myself. I once saw a friend of mine at a certain point, she was in love continuously, passionately, from one person to another. So are they happy, because if they weren't happy, they wouldn't have done that.
But I think that happiness is not what I want. That means I don't want to be like her because I see her with a lover. She is happy, she is happy, and I have my own life. People will do whatever they want. People want to be happy in a couple, they will do everything to have a couple. And if I am single, it doesn't mean I am single, it is my choice and I am very happy with that choice.
I see freedom as having its own beauty. Other people think that happiness requires two people. Everyone has their own opinion. But it is true that once or twice in my life, I see a happy family, a way that I feel convinced, find it beautiful, only then do I want to have that kind of life. Otherwise, I am very happy with my single life.
I also understand that being single does not mean "being single". But surely a beautiful and attractive woman like you, in your life, must have many men who love you ?
- I think I've been a muse to quite a few people.
What kind of man will conquer Ha Linh Thu ?
- A handsome, intelligent man.
So in love, what kind of person is Ha Linh Thu ?
- A question that requires a rather long answer. Because each age we love differently. And I am not someone who loves passionately, maybe deeply, but not ecstatically. Or maybe not ecstatically because I am always alert and defensive. And after love affairs, everyone can become a philosopher.
To talk about her personality , what kind of person does Ha Linh Thu see herself as ?
- A difficult person ( laughs loudly ). I am not an easy person, not at all easy.
How annoying am I ?
- Like the story of the Pea Princess in the Grimm fairy tale, lying on seven layers of mattresses but still having back pain because of a small pea. Being too sensitive, demanding, meticulous in every detail, proud in every situation creates an extremely difficult thing for me. Therefore, it is not easy to live with me and it is not easy for me to live with others.
In short, I am a tough, but strong, masculine person in a very feminine body.
But women also have weak moments ?
- Yes. In the past, we were taught: men must not cry, must not be weak. And women must be weak.
Later when I grew up, I heard Professor Bui Phung - a friend of my father, say very well: "When a man cries, he is strong". That means they dare to cry.
So weak women do not mean they have to cry to be weak. They are still strong, but they are still weak because they are still women.
What is the limit that you want to challenge yourself ?
- Up to now, I always set goals for myself to move forward. For example, if this collection is beautiful, the next collection must be even more beautiful. I also develop the lacquer field. But I have not stopped, I still think of doing other things. I am always on the move, it is a challenge for myself. However, I do not set limits for myself, there is no such concept in my mind.
Up to now , are you satisfied with what you have created ? What does Ha Linh Thu dream about her next career ?
- I'm not a dreamer but I still have goals that I have to keep moving towards. I'm not satisfied yet and I still want to keep going and go higher.
Thank you and wish you will always be a "silk woman ".
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