Meet Vu  The Fashionable Misfit in Boston

Natalie: You have amazing style, what inspired you to create your exotic jacket and what was it made out of?

Vu: I was  flattered when you said that because my usual days are different stories of disastrous style.  It’s made out of reticulated Python, so called the Dragon one, lined in lambskin and silk-blend fabric, and lizard for the interior details.

Natalie: What design school or tailor trained you how to properly handle exotic materials?

Vu: I really don’t have a formal training. While I did pick up a few things here and there from the internet, and especially from my talented friends, this definitely was a group effort. We’ve come so far from our mistakes, yet there is still room for improvement.

Natalie: I know many tailors and seamstress who prefer not to create with leather or exotic skins because it’s difficult to work with what was your experience like?

Vu: I do agree that working with exotic leather is not fun. In this experiment, we were told that making python quilted parts and leather lining was unwise because the scale is too fragile and none of us has any idea on how to bond two pieces of skin together.  I could not say no to what we set out to do and we tried different ways until something worked.  On the quilted parts, we slowly molded the python into what we wanted with an oil clothe, padding, and a hairdryer. We did not get the optimal result of bonding (lambskin onto python) so we probably wont the next time until we find a better solution.

Natalie: Experinces are about trial and error. What is your vision for your brand?

Vu: I called it Ngo x Unichi for now, in which Ngo is my mother’s last name that I’ll eventually adopt, or my “ID”.  Since my father’s not truly around, she’s become the foundation of who I am today. Unichi represents a mindful mixture of souls, unified into a certain form or style for that particular moment; and it will likely become something more than oneself/myself. I actually have an idea of how it might turn out but guessing the future is just not me.

Natalie: Who is your audience?

Vu: I’m not sure where they are right now (laugh), but I’m going to find them and hopefully I can learn a lot from them.  I always see myself as a learner more than anything else.

Natalie: I recall you saying that you were on a fashion forum and did not receive response about your jacket.  Like I said before it takes people awhile to catch on, continue to get out there because the right people will contact you.

Vu: I think you are right. But it’s not the main reason for me to do this anyway.  Being a misfit among fellow misfits, fashion is the perfect canvas for my modern loneliness. Maybe the excitement of chasing beautiful things can distract oneself from this chaotic reality.

Natalie: What has the response been like from your peers?

Vu: I encountered enthusiasts here and there but it’s too early to say. However, I think strategic planing is necessary so I’m working on website and looking for partners. At least now I can add my fashion endeavor into the conversation.

Natalie: I think that you should submit a photo and your story to local media and published magazines like Vogue and GQ.

Vu: It’s great but I also don’t want to rush my pace. I still need to find more time for my daughter. She’s about to turn 4 months this June.

Natalie: Where can my readers find you?

Vu: I’m quite available through my inbox ngostudioco@gmail.com. 

mailto:ngostudioco@gmail.com and @NgoStudioCo (instagram).