Growing up in a family with a background in finance, education, and construction, Tommy Le began to rekindle his love for fashion from an early age. Over time, his childhood love grew into a passion and became a career that has followed him to this day.
Currently, Tommy Le is holding the executive position of Teejay Couture USA and 3T Fabulous Bridal, two fashion brands he founded.
In this conversation, let’s learn more about the fate that brought Tommy Le to the fashion industry and stories about his career.
- Hello, Mr. Tommy Le! What fate brought you to the fashion industry?
When I was 8 years old, my neighbor was a tailor of Vietnamese ao dai and Chinese cheongsam. One time, I asked them to teach me how to make a fabric button and flowers from fabric string. That was also the time when I was inspired and learned my first steps in fashion.
Later, when we moved back to my grandparents’ house, we had the good fortune to meet my uncle, also a tailor. When I was 11 years old, my uncle started teaching me how to sew. Not only that, I was also supported by my neighbors who were medical school students in learning sewing and they were also my first guests on this journey with fashion.
At the age of 14, I immigrated to America. After graduating from high school, I went to university to major in engineering according to my family’s wishes. However I soon realized that I was not suitable for this industry, so I decided to change majors and study fashion design a year later. I graduated with a double major in fashion and merchandise. From there, my journey with fashion also began, more seriously and professionally.
- Besides your fate with fashion, is there any character who inspired you to become more involved in the profession?
Yes. When I was in school, I was influenced by Calvin Klein a lot. He taught me, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, because when you make mistakes, new ideas will appear.
- In your opinion, what is the most challenging thing about being a fashion designer?
Fashion is only for a group of people, you cannot please everyone unless you work continuously and closely with them. You must have the understanding to satisfy each customer, not create a general model for all customers. Most of the time, you also have to educate your customers on what to do and what not to do.
- What is a typical day like for a fashion designer?
It’s hard to find a pattern for a designer’s typical day. Each designer has a different typical day. However, there are important things that almost every designer must arrange time to complete such as meeting customers, sketching designs, choosing fabrics and materials, meeting the production team, working on the new collection…
- In the near future, you will introduce a new collection during the 2024 Ao Dai Festival. What is special about this collection?
The collection I bring to the 2024 Ao Dai Festival has the theme of combining Vietnamese culture and the relationship with the homeland of expatriates. The main image of this collection is “roots” with a message towards the homeland, ancestors, and above all the spirit of love for the Fatherland, expressed through soft silk and chiffon materials.
Currently, there are more than 4 million Vietnamese people residing abroad worldwide. In the bustling atmosphere of the end of the year and the coming of Tet, Vietnamese people everywhere, whether returning to their families or celebrating Tet in faraway lands, are busy preparing for the moment of transition. And I hope that my new collection will also enrich the identity of this year’s Tet season.
- How long does it take you to complete an ao dai?
Depending on the difficulty of the design, it may take just a day, or it may take several months to complete.
- In your opinion, are trends in fashion a standard?
In my opinion, fashion is a circle of life. People who make the right fashion statement at the right time become trendy and inspire others.
- Where do you often find inspiration for design and creativity?
Fashion exists everywhere in life. From the colors to the scenery of nature, from artistic architecture, from culture… and from within the lives of each of us. I can find design and creative inspiration from anywhere.
- Among the awards you have achieved in your career, what is the most meaningful achievement for you?
I am grateful for all my achievements and cherish every masterpiece that has ever won on stage and on the red carpet, regardless of whether the award is meaningful or not.
- Thank you Tommy Le for taking the time for this conversation!