This is an excerpt from the MEGA May 2025 Designer Spotlight ASIA
Despite being in the industry for over 20 years, Vietnamese designer Mai Lam remains an mystery—an elusive figure even to those in her native Vietnam. In her rare interviews and the arresting visuals that accompany her label, Mai Lam Wearable Art, it appears that Mai Lam prefers to keep it that way and let her creations speak for themselves.
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A TRUE CREATIVE
Mai Lam took a circuitous path to her current passion: taking up drawing classes only to quit after two weeks, then becoming a chef, bravely entering competitions, and even opening a flower shop.
“These small moments weren’t planned; they were instinctive,” she says via email. “And I think that’s how creativity works—it finds you when you’re open to exploring, learning, and seeing the world differently.”
In videos, Mai Lam is genial and thoughtful in her answers. In photographs, she is a striking presence, with long, thick gray hair falling gracefully past her shoulders and a refined countenance—someone who has spent a lifetime practicing creativity with curiosity, playfulness, and instinctive courage.
“I want to be known as an artist who tells stories through fabric, history, and craftsmanship. My work is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and history, intertwined with my own personal journey as a Vietnamese refugee who left the country in the 1970s. In many ways, my work resonates with segments of the Vietnamese community through our shared history of resilience, tradition, and the preservation of culture through creativity and art,” she shares.
While she’s delighted by the growing interest in her work beyond Vietnam, she’s not entirely surprised:
“This connection to heritage and storytelling is something I believe people around the world—including Filipinos and international audiences—can relate to in their own way. I hope they see my designs not just as fashion, but as wearable art, true to the name of my brand, Mai Lam Wearable Art. Each Mai Lam design is a cultural artifact, carefully crafted by the skilled hands of Vietnamese artisans and infused with the soulful spirit of Vietnam and the personal history of those who create it.”
PRESENT PERFECT
Let’s talk about the clothes. They seem to instantly arouse desire and incite conversation. There’s something inherently cool about them—and it’s not just because of the editorials featuring pouting models styled like they’re either heading to the latest biennale or about to melt into a fevered dance in the desert.
While the streetwear influence is clear, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill oversized coats and jackets. Vietnamese culture and craftsmanship are presented through modern silhouettes and subtle detailing—eschewing the obvious. No T-shirts slapped with lotus flowers here.
Instead, Mai Lam and her team of loyal artisans create floaty dresses made from tea and coffee-dyed silks adorned with intricate hand embroidery. There are statement jackets inspired by military uniforms, crafted from silk, velvet, and thick cotton, embellished with gemstones, delicately cut taffeta and copper buttons. The Áo dài, Vietnam’s iconic long tunic, is reimagined in translucent raw silk with thick, almost abstract embroidered accents.
“People connect with my creations because they carry a sense of authenticity, history, and soul. Each piece is crafted with intention, blending traditional Vietnamese elements with a contemporary, almost rebellious spirit. I think this mix of heritage and modernity speaks to people on a deeper level. It’s not just about aesthetics, but about identity, storytelling, and craftsmanship,” says Mai Lam.
“At the same time, my designs are not bound by any one place or time. While they are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, they also reflect a universal appreciation for artistry, sustainability, and individuality. Perhaps that’s why they resonate with different audiences, including younger generations who value uniqueness and self-expression. I always want to communicate raw energy through my work—a kind of freedom—and I believe people are drawn to that.”
Read more about Mai Lam‘s fascinating story in MEGA’s May 2025 issue now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Images courtesy of MAI LAM. Photographed by DỀ VÜ. Styling by FREDDY NGUYỀN.
