
" I design pieces that feel timeless rather than seasonal, in colours and prints that can be worn many different ways."
How did you become interested in fashion design?
My route into fashion came through silk rather than sketching. I have long family ties to Nha Xa, a silk-weaving village in Vietnam, and I wanted to carry that heritage into modern wardrobes. SILK & BEARS grew from that – a wish to share a craft I love, and to give the artisans there steady, respectful work.
What is your design philosophy?
Quiet luxury, made slowly. I design pieces that feel timeless rather than seasonal, in colours and prints that can be worn many different ways. Nothing is mass-produced; every batch is small and considered. I would always rather make something built to be kept for years than something built for a single season.
How important is sustainability in your designs?
It is built into how we work rather than added on. We produce in small batches, so very little goes to waste; we use natural mulberry silk; and traditional hand-dyeing uses far less water and energy than industrial production. Slow fashion is not a label for us – it is simply the pace at which this craft is meant to be made.
What is your favourite material to work with?
Mulberry silk, without question. It holds colour beautifully, it has a natural luminosity, and it drapes in a way nothing else quite matches. Our hand-dyed pieces are 100% mulberry silk, dyed in small batches and stretched on traditional bamboo frames – working with a material that carries that much craft and history is a quiet privilege.
How do you choose colours for your designs?
Colour is the heart of the hand-dyed collection. I work intuitively, often led by what the dye does on the silk rather than a fixed plan, so each shibori and brushstroke piece comes out subtly unique. I also design with the wearer in mind: soft, neutral tones for everyday elegance, and richer, deeper colours for evening and occasion wear.