Hoang will present his "Lacquer" collection at the Italian fashion week in late September. This marks his return to the international stage following his debut in 2024 with the acclaimed "Ceramics" collection.
Having previously drawn inspiration from the works of artists Nguyen Phan Chanh and Le Pho, and sculptor Diem Phung Thi, Hoang now turns to the lacquer paintings of Nguyen Gia Tri.
"I've admired his paintings since my school days. Standing before his depictions of Vietnamese people, landscapes, and cultural icons like banyan trees, communal houses, and bamboo groves, I felt a deep connection," Hoang said.
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Nguyen Gia Tri's "Village among Banana Trees," measuring 195x100 cm. Photo: Drouot |
For the young designer, lacquer is more than a decorative medium; it represents a quiet, refined art form. Nguyen Gia Tri's style uniquely conveys emotions, reflections, and sentiments. "This inspired me to create and share the beauty of Vietnamese culture with an international audience through fashion," he explained.
The collection features a palette of reds and yellows across 30 outfits. Layered fabrics mimic the effect of lacquer, shaped into artistic forms with handcrafted tailoring techniques. Materials include silk, linen, and American cotton. For the first time, Hoang will also include menswear in his runway presentation.
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A sketch from Phan Dang Hoang's "Lacquer" collection. Photo: Provided by the designer |
Nguyen Gia Tri, born in 1908 in Chuong My, Hanoi, graduated from the Indochina Fine Arts College in 1936. He is considered one of the four pillars of Vietnamese painting, alongside artists such as Nguyen Phan Chan, Le Pho, and Nguyen Van Can. His first exhibitions in 1939-1940 established him as a pioneer in modern lacquer art.
In 1989, the Ministry of Culture recognized Nguyen Gia Tri for his contributions to modern Vietnamese visual arts. He passed away in Ho Chi Minh City in 1993 and was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts. Two of his works, "Spring Garden of the Three Regions" at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum and a folding screen at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, are recognized as national treasures. Other works like "Three Women" and "Village among Banana Trees" have fetched millions of USD at auction.
Designer Phan Dang Hoang, originally from Nghe An, is known for his portraits of Vietnamese artists. He received a talent scholarship in fashion design from the Nouva Accademia Di Belle Arti (NABA) in 2018, graduating with honors. His previous collections include "A Dose Of Yoy," inspired by children's folk games, and "La Peinture" (The Painting). Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and supermodel Naomi Campbell attended his "Quintessence" presentation in Italy in 2021. In 5/2024, Forbes named Hoang the only Vietnamese designer on its "30 Under 30 Asia" list.
Tan Cao
