ĐAN DÒNG
Category: Apparel
Competitions: Vietnam
I chose the craft of water hyacinth weaving as the main inspiration for my collection because it is one of the traditional handicrafts that strongly reflects the cultural identity of Vietnam’s Southwest region. This is a place where people live in harmony with rivers and nature. Water hyacinth is often associated with the simple, rustic lifestyle of the riverine communities, but through the skillful hands of artisans, it becomes a material for creating durable, practical, and aesthetically refined products. This imagery evokes in me the essence of Vietnamese women—seemingly delicate and gentle on the outside, yet embodying an enduring vitality and an innate adaptability within. Through molding techniques and cord weaving, I aim to explore leather as a material to emulate the texture of traditional basketry, while simultaneously portraying the female form as a “living craftwork.” This collection is not only a tribute to a fading local craft, but also my way of weaving Vietnam’s cultural narrative into the language of contemporary fashion—where heritage is preserved yet reimagined through a modern perspective and personal expression.
