Designer Đỗ Trịnh Hoài Nam is pictured with two American models, Wynter Alana and Nya Deng, who present his áo dài collection in the US. Photo courtesy of Andy Nguyen

HÀ NỘI - Famed designer Đỗ Trịnh Hoài Nam has introduced a new collection of áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) inspired by the world natural wonder in Việt Nam –  Hạ Long Bay – at a recent fashion event in California, US.

Featuring the surreal beauty of Hạ Long Bay and the lotus flower, Nam’s designs are a delicate and unique combination between traditions with modernity, the quintessence of eastern culture with western style.

They are made from velvet and velvet silk – the most popular materials dedicated for high-class designs - but their surfaces have been treated to create impressive, eye-catching and luxurious visual effects.

While the silk fabric has delicate leaf motifs, the velvet fabric is woven into the shape of small pieces in an abstract and classic mosaic art style, creating a whole new look for the áo dài and evoking the feelings of elasticity and softness for each design.

The designs have strong and striking colours, embellished with embroidery and sewing, handmade binding, and gold and precious stones inlaid techniques. — Photo courtesy of Andy Nguyen

The talented designer also wanted to honour and promote Vietnamese traditional culture by adopting embroidery and sewing, handmade binding, and gold and precious stones inlaid techniques of Việt Nam’s traditional crafts into the creation of his designs.

The inspiration for 15 designs of the collection was derived from The Fountainhead, a novel by American writer Ayn Rand. They all have strong and striking colours such as regal yellow, powerful purple, brilliant blue, warm orange or noble red pink.

Nam has chosen two American models, Wynter Alana and Nya Deng, to perform the collection. The designer revealed that they would participate in the photo shoots of his designs at many famous landmarks in the US.

According to Nam, he selected foreign models with the aim to affirm that every woman looks charming and elegant when they put on an áo dài.

Mosaic art is integrated into The Fountainhead collection to create a whole new look for the Vietnamese traditional dress. — Photo courtesy of Andy Nguyen

Born in Hà Nội, Nam’s love for fashion began when he was 13.

He started his career as a tailor in his village, Xuân Đỉnh, which is famous for handicraft products. 

He rose to fame after winning the Việt Nam Collection Grand Prix 2014, presented by the Việt Nam Design Institute, and became one of the finalists at Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Week 2014.

Nam has attended leading fashion events at home and abroad. His áo dài collections have impressed Vietnamese and foreigners.

He has worked with movie stars and pop idols, and now owns a garment and fashion company, as well as a modeling agency. His elegant and eye-catching pieces, using high-quality silk, satin, cotton and linen, are considered glamorous. VNS