VN Fashion Designer Infiltrates US Fashion Circles

Young fashion designer Ngo Thai Uyen is paving the way for Vietnamese designs to enter mainstream Western fashion.

In its new Autumn-Winter 2005 catalogue, American retailer J. Jill introduces Vietnamese fashion designer Thai Uyen and her three new scarf designs.

The catalogue praises Uyen, as follows, "She combines the extremely skilfulhands of Vietnam with international fashion experience to give each of her products a unique style."

Arranged next to the thick woolen scarves traditionally sold by J. Jill, Uyen's designs stand out because of the unique mixing of cultures.

Scarves inspired by bright yellow southern sunlight are juxtaposed with articles of deep blue, inspired by the sea and the sky, designed to be not too striking during cold European winters.

Uyen's new designs are on Toan Thin high-grade silk and bring mix Oriental and Western characteristics.

For J. Jill, the scarves represent the creativity of a young designer from one of the world's top textile-garment producers.

"Fashion designers must always be ahead of the times in order to give customers something fresh and unexpected.

J. Jill has helped me immensely in learning to go with the flow of the fashion world.

And, I, myself, am constantly doing research so that my own sources of creativity will not be exhausted," Uyen said.