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T R E N D S P O T T I N G
Linda Mai Phung
Sandwiched between an engineer and
a scientist for siblings, this 28-year-old
French
Viet-Kieu
(
overseas Vietnamese)
designer started out by stitching three
stripes on the sides of her track pants to
look cool like her classmates in Bezons,
the Paris suburb where her parents settled
after arriving in France as boatpeople.
Starting her own label in 2009, Linda
created a collection of ecological and
ethical garments using natural fibers and
Vietnamese tribal fabric for detailing. The
rest is history.
How do the cities you’ve lived in influence
your design?
I’ve lived and worked in Paris, Prague and
Berlin. Paris influences my designs in a
classic, posh and chic way. It is preppy
and selective with a rock ’n’ roll glamour
touch. Prague brought out romanticism
in my style. It is a mysterious and very
melancholic city full of Art Nouveau
buildings and decorated everywhere with
Mucha’s stunning organic and intricate
drawings of feminine fairies melting with
plants. Finally, Berlin brought out a very
bold aspect in my design. Berliners get
right to the point. I tend to think more and
more about the usefulness and practicality
of my designs, sometimes before the
aesthetic. Travelling and living in many
countries is such a rich experience and has
taught me to be flexible in designing. These
experiences give me endless inspirations
and lucky encounters that are essential for
me as a designer.
What elements play an important role in
your designs?
Cultural blends with the traditional versus
modern styles, the attachment to details
and the best craftsmanship that can
create a new identity. I like to think that
my label represents a new generation of
young people or designers who have an
international background or life path and
are conscious of the world they live.
Cebu Pacific flies to Ho Chi Minh City from
Manila.
Chikka
Lookbook
Want
more fashion
inspiration? Check out
on page 29
now!
Nikki Nguyen
28,
owner of
Le BanhMi
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