Today we’d like to introduce you to Anh Dao.
Hi Anh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am a recent graduate fashion major from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Now I’m working as a fashion designer, stylist, and illustrator. I am originally from Vietnam. My family and I moved to the U.S almost nine years ago.
Becoming a fashion designer has always been my goal, and living in the United States has provided me with the opportunities to make my dream come true. My studies with SCAD not only prepared me with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the industry but also gave me access to great opportunities and connections with industry professionals.
The last year 2021, I became one of the winners of the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund and got featured in WWD. I was also selected as one of the top 3 finalists for the CFDA Scholarship for Social Justice Award with a project about my journey as an immigrant in a newfound homeland in relation to the youth’s frustration against the in-action and injustice of the society we live. I finished my thesis collection this year, “Venus: Rebirth of beauty,” a six looks evening wear collection.
The collection questions the established standards of beauty in the Western mindset and aims to reinvent, rebalance, and redefine modern femininity in a more inclusive direction. It will soon get published in “Reserved Magazine,” thanks to my great stylist mentor Jules Woods.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As immigrants, we came to this country with almost nothing. Leaving behind my friends and everything I came to know was the most challenging part, but luckily, my parents prepared me well enough to adjust to the new life. We worked hard for everything we owned, and thanks to the initial support from our relatives, we survived being stranded on a strange land.
I feel fortunate to find a supportive and welcoming community when we moved to the U.S. As a creative, I sometimes struggle with uncertainty. Sometimes I was very uncertain about what came next, but I always reminded myself of my goals and achievements so far. It is not about comparing yourself to others but to your past self and how you have grown.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently working as an independent fashion designer, stylist, and fashion illustrator. I specialize in modern evening wear couture garments. As an illustrator, I am experienced with digital and hand-drawing multimedia such as watercolor, pastel, graphite, markers, and acrylic.
I believe the things that set me apart from others are my attention to detail and the tentative care I would put into each work. I am proud of all my creations like a parent to a child. Watching the wearer feel comfortable and beautiful in my garments makes me proud of my work.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Savannah is a beautiful historic city that I enjoyed my time visiting so much that I came back the second time within three months. I could do so many things around the city and its surrounding area. I enjoy my walk around the city marketplace and along the Riverstreet with gorgeous scenery and many shops to see and explore.
However, what I like best about the city is its architecture. Beautiful buildings with rich stories to tell always stroke my curiosity and inspiration. The last thing I like about the city I could say is the traffic. It can be crowded sometimes, but I have seen worse in cities like Atlanta or Greenville, where my family lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: natd.info
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhatanhdaotruong/
Image Credits
Xavier Thompson @the.tylerx
