Fashion Issue: Western Fashion Brands coming to Vietnam

Coming back to Vietnam last summer, I have noticed that we now have had Topshop, Accessorize, Mango, FCUK, French Connection, Gucci, and the list goes on. This shows the rapid developments we are having nowadays. We used to not have all these brands although I live in the capital. Nowadays, more people have reached a position where they care about the way they look and take care of themselves a lot more compared to about 10 years ago.

However, Topshop in Vietnam is different from Topshop in England due to the differences between our lifestyle and our sense of fashion. I have noticed that Western brands when they go to Vietnam, they for sure keep their general style, though, the clothes are a little bit less daring compared to what I saw in Europe. The prices are also different obviously as in Vietnam we had to import the products. Vietnam is a developing country and I see a lot of potential as well as opportunities to build up a Fashion business here.

Internship confirmed - Third year plan

I have been offered a place at Kelly Bui as a design intern for 6 months. I think this is a great start. I will be working in Hanoi - my home town. The plan is to come back to Vietnam and start working from the summer until the end of the year before coming back to AUCB for the rest 6 months of the top-up year. That means I will not have a summer vacation but it is worth it that by the time I come back to AUCB from Vietnam to finish up my top-up year, I would have had a 6 month work experience which I think would be very helpful in my CV.

I think the internship would also help me a lot with my work during the third year. I would definitely learn a lot about designing as well as running a business. And it is a great opportunity to gain some networks in the industry in my country.

Kelly Bui

Kelly Bui is one of the top Fashion designers in Vietnam. Bui was born and raised in Vietnam before going to England and graduated from London Centre for Fashion Studies in 2005. In 2006, she started her brand 'Kelly Bui', which is now one of the biggest fashion brands in Vietnam. For a business that young, her success is remarkable. I also like her designs very much. They are feminine, glamourous and sort of sexy. I tend to follow that direction as well, I think we somewhat have the same fashion sense.

As an international Fashion student in the UK myself, I would like to be successful internationally and I think there is a lot I could learn from Kelly. I would love to have a chance to work for her in order to gain a lot of helpful experience, to learn and also to gain some networks in the industry. If I am coming back to AUCB for the top-up year, the first three months would be work placement. An option might be starting working from the beginning of summer vacation throughout the first 3 months of the top-up year. That way I would have a 6 month work experience by the time I come back to England for the top-up year.

I have sent them an email with my CV and some of my work in order to apply for an internship there in the summer. I am looking forward to receiving their answer.

Final project inspiration - Revolution

• Nude, desert-ish colour palette
• Animal camouflage: creatures whose colours & patterns help conceal & protect them
• Mysterious