Nicky Vu
BA(Hons) Fashion Design, 2014
Vietnam
My design philosophy at its core is about creating products that are made to last.”
I have always been a creative person, beginning with an early passion for drawing and the arts. My first qualification was a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design from FPT Arena Multimedia University. I later completed another two-year HND in Fashion and Merchandising at London College of Fashion Studies, which partnered with several UK universities, including UWE Bristol.
During my studies, I was awarded a scholarship to complete my top-up year abroad at UWE Bristol. Before that, I had also received the Better Together Scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to visit Bristol for a week. That experience left a strong impression on me and confirmed my desire to return and study there. I was especially drawn to Bristol’s charm, diversity, and welcoming atmosphere.
Studying Fashion Design in the UK was challenging at first because the expectations were very different from those in Vietnam. In Vietnam, the focus is often balanced between creativity and the final product’s marketability, whereas in the UK there was much greater emphasis on creative thinking and design development.
During the first term, many of us Vietnamese students struggled to adapt to the new academic approach. However, after discussions with our tutors, we learned to adjust and improve our understanding of the course requirements.
By the second term, I became much more confident and successful.
For our final project, each student created garments to be showcased at a four-day fashion show in London. Although initially expected to present only one garment, I created six pieces, and four of them were displayed across two days of the event. This achievement gave me confidence in my abilities and encouraged me to continue my studies with an MA at Central Saint Martins.
Beyond academics, living in Bristol taught me independence and adaptability. I learned practical skills such as arranging accommodation, opening a bank account, and navigating life in a new country. I also enjoyed experiencing British culture, meeting people from different backgrounds, and discovering regional traditions and accents. These everyday experiences deepened my appreciation for the UK’s diversity and history.
One aspect of British culture that inspired me greatly was the appreciation for craftsmanship and longevity. I remember seeing an antique leather tape measure at a market fair that still functioned perfectly after many years.
As a fashion designer, this experience influenced my design philosophy: creating garments that are durable, meaningful, and connected to culture and storytelling. After returning to Vietnam, I focused on both teaching and industry work. I became a lecturer at the same college where I studied, while also working at May 10, one of northern Vietnam’s oldest apparel companies.
Starting as a consultant, I later became Fashion and Aesthetic Assistant to the CEO, helping introduce international perspectives into the company’s traditional design environment. I value the company’s commitment to quality, ethical production, and sustainability.
In 2019, I was invited to represent Vietnam at an international skills competition in China, where I presented one of my fashion collections in English to an international audience. Experiences like these have strengthened my commitment to combining creativity, cultural storytelling, and responsible fashion design in both my teaching and professional work.
