Editor @Jthnomad
Designer @Dannynguyencouture
“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” – Coco Chanel
DNC is a couture line by fashion designer Danny Nguyen, who draws his inspiration from the elegant creations of Dior and Chanel. Danny’s runway shows are a fascinating visual tale of beauty and glamour. His pieces are dramatic statements worthy of a princess royal, yet crafted for the girl next door. Danny is a rare individual who has an intuitive understanding of how the human body works and functions. It is this knowledge that enables him to create breathtaking pieces that transport the individual into a world of fantasy, full of passion and whimsy.
Danny Nguyen, Effortless Couture
Justin Howard for Black Chalk : What is your philosophy about the ART of fashion?
Danny Nguyen : Art is a repetition, a practiced way of living. How you practice that ‘art’ determines how well you master your craft.
JH : What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
DN : A wedding dress, made out of trash bags. All the embroidery was done with a string of trash bags, that I hand wove with a needle. The gown was done in a mermaid cut, with feathers on the bottom. I hand stitched them one by one. They were also crafted out of trash bags.
JH : Why do you design?
DN : To make women feel more beautiful and confident in themselves. I want the women wearing my pieces to experience the world standing up and paying attention to them. For men, it is to infuse the gentlemen in question with a confidence and a desire for a lifestyle of luxury.
JH : Do you consider yourself an artist?
DN : Yes, I consider myself more of an artist than a designer. What I do is a form of art, that is similar to sculpture.
JH : What’s your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?
DN : The idea of fashion is all around us, from street wear to tribal outfits. Culture is a very powerful medium, it allows us to learn about the way people dress. Through this medium we can understand history and art. From there, I transform it into something new and innovating for the future.
JH : How do you prepare for a fashion show?
DN : A show usually takes four to five months of preparation, from the idea of a design to producing the pieces in house. Then deploying my team at the fashion show to make sure everything goes smoothly, down from the lead hair stylist, to runway show producer, to front of house. My team’s aim is to make sure every outfit going down the runway is exactly according to my vision.
JH : How would you define the style of your line?
DN : I would say my line is influenced by the creations of the masters like Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, and Cristobal Balenciaga.
All my gowns are created by hand according to the haute couture method. My ready-to-wear is crafted 60 percent by hand and 40 percent by machine. I want all my gowns to be worn at galas, red carpets and the most luxurious moments of life.
JH : Where do you get your inspiration?
DN : I draw my inspiration from the world around me, from our global culture and heritage. The way we all live and the food we all eat. But the most important inspiration comes directly from my client, who confides in me their dreams, their passions and their hates. It is this input that helps me create a gown especially for them.
JH : What is your favorite fabric to work with and why?
DN : Lace, lace, and more lace. Because it is from lace I create many of my designs. I can craft my own lace via the method of applying lace onto mesh fabric. This way I can design lace patterns that no one else will have.
JH – What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
DN : Be prepared to work hard. It is a very difficult industry to be in, but consistence helps. So always be consistence. Keeping moving forward. It will help you survive and make it. Have the determination to on going and be the best version of yourself, you can be.
JH : Future plans?
DN : I am planing on showcasing at Paris Fashion Week, as part of the haute couture fashion week. We are doing installations at New York Fashion Week, and LA Fashion Week. Plus we are doing pop-up shows in Dubai for the 2018 collection.
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