Article by Felicia Kassim
Photo by Stephen Dux
Short link: http://bit.ly/m14yXG
Art Directing by Jessica Maittre
Styling by Ariella Villa
Hair and Makeup by Shane Monden
Model is Brittany Woodward
Designing by Nha Khanh
Jewelry by The Shining
Let’s take a moment to learn what makes up the design duo of Nha Khanh. Khanh Nguyen and Nini Nguyen create this Texan fashion powerhouse.
So, how long have you been working in the design world? How did you get started?
Khanh Nguyen: Officially, right after my graduation from UNT almost 3 years ago. However, I think art and fashion are in my blood, so I’ve been designing for years. I’m a third generation being in the fashion business. You can say I started out very young.
Nini Nguyen: I have been in the fashion industry since 15 years old. I designed my own dresses; make my own curtains and pillows at home as my hobby. Officially, Khanh invited me to join the company to launch the Nha Khanh Ready-To-Wear Spring 2011 Collection.
Where did you get the name of your design company?
Khanh: Nha Khanh is my own name. Nha is my middle name, which is a feminine name means delight and softness. Khanh is my first name, which is a masculine name means prince, leader, and victory.
Nini: The name is well representing for both of us. Khanh is feminine and I’m more on the masculine side. It’s the perfect name for our label.
Did you have any formal schooling for fashion design, management or marketing?
Khanh: I was mostly self-taught since tender age while getting the guidance from both artistic parents in fashion and art. I studied Fashion Design at University of North Texas and obtained full scholarship to train in haute couture sewing at Paris American Academy in Paris, France. As for having your own business, management and marketing play major parts of it and I’m still learning every day.
Nini: I’m just like Khanh, I self-taught myself everything and I think that so much of my interest in fashion comes from my grandmother. She’s a very creative lady and also has the healing power. As I get older I see myself becoming a lot like her. I studied business management and fashion merchandising in college.
What is your inspiration for your current 2011 collections, Black Velvet and Ready to Wear?
Khanh: Josephine Baker was our fall 2011 Collection inspiration. She’s one of the greatest entertainers in 1930s. We love her bold sense of style and great sense of humor in her performances.
In three words how would you describe your design aesthetic?
Khanh: Feminine yet edgy.
Imagining the girl who wears your clothing, what kind of girl is she?
Khanh: She’s confident, willing to take risk and have a great sense of humor in terms of fashion. She’s sensitive yet appears to be intimating to others.
Do you design things together, or separately?
Khanh & Nini: Absolutely! We do everything together.
How do you decide what the next season will look like?
Khanh: We don’t like to follow trends. We love to play dress up, especially Nini…haha. We get inspired by many different things and even things that we feel missing in our closet and out there in the market. Sometimes, we have a muse for a particular season and she’s a focus of our designs.
Nini: What next season look like is will based on the current season sell through. Just like Khanh said we don’t follow trend. We created a line that is essential for women: items that she can wear daily. We're all about versatility, limited production and high-quality. Our clothes definitely have a universal appeal but are also forward thinking when it comes to design with clean lines and an over the top twist.
What types of music do you listen to? Who is playing in your work room at the moment?
Khanh: I love anything with a jazzy beat. Pink Martini and Bitter:Sweet are what constantly playing in our studio.
Nini: I live off my Pandora. All the classical instruments from Mozart, The Phantom of the Opera to Andrea Bocelli.
What is your favorite place to travel?
Khanh: Paris is my ultimate destination.
Nini: I love to travel, of course to Paris and love to visit Africa someday.
Who are your favorite fashion designers?
Khanh: Marchesa for their ultra-feminine and dreamy eveningwear and Rodarte and Rick Owens for their edgy touch.
Nini: Azzedine Alaia, Rick Owens, Comme des Garcons, and Maison Martin Margiela are my favorites.
What is your favorite jeans designer?
Khanh: I live in my Mango jeans that I bought in Paris 3 years ago. I should have brought at least 5 pairs of those.
Nini: My favorite jeans designer is J-brand. Any pair of jeans that have a percentage of Lycra will give a little as you wear them and conform to your body shape. The reason I love J-brand jeans is because they give you a butt if you don't have one and if you have anything extra around the thigh area, they will suck it in for you. A pair of J-brand jeans can get the job done. I don't wear jeans that much, but when I wear them I like to keep it clean and simple.
Any words of inspiration for those who are your fans?
Khanh: Don’t ignore your passion because this is where success starts. Don’t take short cuts, because you’ll miss out many truly great life experiences. Don’t stop learning, because knowledge is power.
Nini: In order to be successful and have what you want in life, you must be patient, consistent, strong, and be kind to people surrounding you. And always remember your root of where you came from.
If you could meet any legends, like Audrey Hepburn, Jim Morrison, or Andy Warhol, who would you pick to meet and why?
Khanh: Coco Chanel, because she had such an interesting life. She’s defined fashion, style, and character so very well.
Nini: Princess Grace Kelley, great style with a beautiful heart.
Are you inspired by film?
Khanh: Yes, sometimes. I’m more inspired by arts and nature.
Nini: Yes, indeed! And everything that surroundings me every day. But mostly through classic films, art and nature.
If you could see your dresses on the red carpet; who would you choose to wear them?
Khanh: Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lopez.
Nini: Gwyneth Paltrow.
Web Souce - http://musicfashionmagazine.com/read/nhakhanh/000235
