Designer Tommy Nguyen: Each Ao Dai design represents knowledge, history and national pride.

“Fashion should not stop at performing on stage, but needs to step into the role of a cultural industry, where each design carries intellectual value, history and national pride,” Tommy Nguyen expressed.

Each Ao Dai is a “visual symphony,” where art touches the spiritual cultural roots and elevates the Vietnamese fashion industry. This is the idea that designer Tommy Nguyen conveys in every brocade fold and brushstroke of the collection. For him, fashion is not only about beauty, but also about telling a story of a thousand years of culture through the language of ethnic materials and painting.

Fashion honors traditional identity

Designer Tommy Nguyen said that with the artistic ao dai collection “The Sacred Spirit of Vietnam” to welcome the new year 2026, he wants to portray fashion in cultural language with the creative principle of beautifying, to create a space of dialogue between the past and the present, between folk art and contemporary “haute couture”.

Accordingly, the four Ao Dai designs presented represent the four core elements of Vietnamese culture: spirituality - strength - prosperity - art. The main materials are silk, premium brocade, metallic thread, crystal beads and hand-painted oil painting techniques. All are combined through the creative hands of the designer to "paint" a fashion identity imbued with Vietnamese spirit.

Design "White - Vietnamese Lotus." (Photo: NVCC)

The opening highlight of the collection is the “light melody of spirituality” White – Vietnamese Lotus . On an ivory white brocade background, the golden lotus and green leaf motifs are meticulously hand-painted, expressing the philosophy of “the lotus grows in the mud but still exudes its fragrance.” The wide crown and lotus motifs continue on the conical hat, creating a harmony between man and nature.

Tommy Nguyen said he chose lotus as the main flower because "lotus is a symbol of nobility, the soul of Vietnam, both familiar and sacred."

The Red Ao Dai – Phoenix has a regal, motherly red color combined with the motif of a pair of phoenixes spreading their wings on a Dong Son background. The concentric motifs imitating ancient bronze drums are intricately embellished with metallic glitter, evoking the power of regeneration and feminine pride. The skirt of the Ao Dai is more than three meters long and is designed so that when walking, the image of a phoenix seems to come to life, flapping its wings in the closing sunset.

Ao dai model "Red - Phoenix." (Photo: NVCC)

In the ancient temple space, the Golden Dragon design seems to shine brightly throughout the scene. The winding dragon image on a golden brocade background embroidered with blue and vermillion threads, combined with a delicate hand-painted crown, evokes the image of “Dragon hidden in the clouds” – a symbol of wealth, soaring high.

“The artisans had to work meticulously by hand for more than 300 hours, each detail was painted with pearl oil paint, so that the light reflected shimmering like the breath of heaven and earth. The work is a combination of technique and soul, where the craftsman's hands bring Vietnamese spirit into each piece of fabric,” said designer Tommy Nguyen.

Design "Gold - Thien Long." (Photo: NVCC)

Closing the collection, Red – Dong Son Drum Dance with motifs of Lac birds, dancing girls, concentric circles stylized by hand printing technique, creating a soft movement effect when the dress flutters.

The work carries the breath of Dong Son heritage - where fashion becomes a means to convey the story of national culture. Tommy Nguyen shared: " I want to revive the symbol of the ancient Vietnamese civilization, the Bronze Drum, through fashion, so that the young generation can feel that history is not a distant past, but a moving present . "

"Bridge " of Vietnamese cultural industry

The “muse” in Tommy Nguyen’s ao dai designs this time is Le Tuyen - Beauty of the Body from the Miss Vietnam of the Era 2024 contest. With a lovely face and confident demeanor, Le Tuyen has contributed to making each outfit more vibrant.

“Wearing Tommy’s designs , I feel like I’m living in a national cultural space. Each Ao Dai is both a journey back to my roots and a step towards the future , ” model Le Tuyen shared.

"Wearing Tommy's designs, I feel like I'm living in a national cultural space." (Photo: NVCC)

It can be said that, with the designs in the collection " Vietnamese Spirit ,” Tommy Nguyen demonstrated the techniques and aesthetic views he pursues, while expressing his desire to contribute to elevating fashion in the cultural industry – where each product tells a brand story with national cultural values.

Tommy Nguyen said: “ Fashion not only beautifies people, but also beautifies the country. Each Ao Dai, if honored properly, is an ambassador of Vietnamese culture .”

The designer chose to collaborate with artisans from craft villages, bringing traditional embroidery, painting, and beading techniques into new design trends, helping Vietnamese ao dai step out into the world with national identity and spirit.

“Fashion should not stop at performing on stage , but needs to step into the role of a cultural industry , where each design carries intellectual value, history and national pride , ” Tommy Nguyen expressed./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ntk-tommy-nguyen-moi-thiet-ke-ao-dai-la-tri-thuc-lich-su-va-tu-hao-dan-toc-post1071371.vnp