Chinh Tran
BA(Hons) Fashion Textiles, 2019
Vietnam
The tutors constantly gave me positive feedback for my work, making it clear that they saw my abilities and potential, and encouraged me to stick to my studies and pursue a fashion career. ”
Though fashion had always interested me, I initially studied banking at university because my parents believed it offered a more stable future. After my first year, however, I realized how deeply fashion mattered to me—not just as clothing, but as a way for people to express their identity.
Growing up insecure about my appearance, I discovered how fashion could transform confidence and allow people to present who they truly are. Since everyone wears clothes, I believed fashion should help people feel their best.
Following my passion, I left banking and moved to northern Vietnam to study at the London College for Design and Fashion (LCDF) in Hanoi. After graduating, I worked for a year and noticed how limited the Vietnamese fashion scene was compared to the global industry. Wanting broader experience, I decided to study abroad.
One of LCDF’s partner universities was UWE Bristol, and after speaking with a tutor who genuinely understood my motivations, I knew it was the right place for me. The journey to UWE happened quickly. Within months, I was flying to the UK and travelling alone to Bristol.
When I arrived, I still had nowhere to live, but through a Facebook group for Vietnamese students at UWE, another student kindly offered me temporary accommodation until I found my own place. That experience immediately made me feel welcomed.
I lived in Bristol’s city centre and commuted daily to Bower Ashton Campus. I especially loved the library, where I often stayed late working on projects in its inspiring environment. Although I had studied intensively for IELTS before arriving, I initially struggled with English.
My classmates and tutors, however, were incredibly supportive. My tutors constantly encouraged me, praised my creativity, and pushed me to pursue a career in fashion. Even after graduation, they continued supporting me through emails while I searched for work in the competitive industry.
At UWE, I developed an international network of friends and gained confidence in my abilities. Soon after graduating, I secured opportunities in London. During an internship interview in pattern cutting, the manager was impressed by my portfolio and recommended me to the design team instead.
Later, I joined luxury fashion house Julien Macdonald for a six-month internship, where I worked on garments for celebrities and assisted with fashion shows. At the same time, I worked part-time for the British fashion brand Cimone as a paid designer assistant.
What stood out most in my portfolio was my focus on sustainability. I explored one-piece and zero-waste pattern cutting techniques, aiming to reduce waste while creating innovative designs. Sustainability remains central to my work and creative vision.
After returning to Vietnam, I joined Oktava by Cherryfield, designing tailored menswear for international markets including the US, UK, and Australia. I have worked on products for brands such as Marks & Spencer, Reiss, and Nordstrom.
My passion for sustainable fashion later led me to the Redress Design Award, one of the world’s largest competitions for sustainable fashion designers. Although I was unsuccessful on my first attempt, the experience helped me refine my ideas and better understand how sustainability could truly reshape fashion. On my second attempt, I focused more clearly on my personal vision and was thrilled to be shortlisted.
My long-term goal is to become a pioneer of sustainability in Vietnam’s fashion industry. I want to raise awareness about fashion’s environmental impact while promoting more responsible consumption. Ultimately, I hope to launch my own sustainable fashion brand and contribute to creating a more conscious future for the industry.
