From Vietnam to Wolli Creek, and now to the runway at Sydney Fashion Week, this emerging designer is one to watch.
Chad Nguyen, 21, is showing his debut collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this month, May 20.
Under his brand name Chaddie, he is one of seven Raffles College Fashion Design alumni students who will unveil their collections at the Raffles International Showcase at Carriageworks, Eveleigh.
It is part of the new Design Residency partnership that enables students to preview their designs to media and industry, and receive business mentoring in a dynamic retail/showroom environment – before, during and after Fashion Week.
Nguyen comes from a family of tailors – his grandfather designed uniforms for the Vietnamese armed forces in the 1950s and 1960s.
During the Vietnam War, Nguyen’s extended family fled to the US but his mother and father stayed in Ho Chi Minh City.
He started his studies in 2012 as a design and tailoring novice.
In his native Vietnam, he held several runway shows and enjoys professional support and endorsements from leading Vietnamese fashion titles F Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam.
His work will also be featured in the Fall/Winter Vietnam Design Fashion Week in December this year.
Nguyen’s Fashion Week 2016 collection features designs for women in silk, satin, and silk lurex, combining traditional couture techniques with timeless femininity and modern wearability.
“My style has changed in the past few years,” he said.
“I’m inspired by architecture and the freedom of dressing.
“I also grew up around women with my mum and two sisters, and I’ve always been inspired by their strength, so the message with this collection is that every woman is different.”
From kale green and pure white, to toasted almond, navy, nude pink and bright blue, the colour palette aims to impress, spurred by the influences of international designers Christopher Kane or Raf Simons.
“It’s about comfortable innovation,” Nguyen said.
“There’s a strapless a-line dress, and oversize coat and high-end pyjamas.”
Students will showcase their collections at The Design Residency from May 11-29.
During this period the showroom will be open to industry and general public.
See _chaddie_ on Instagram.