This week, Bravo’s most recent fashion competition, “Launch My Line,” came to a finale, with jewelry designer Kathy Rose and her expert Emil Gampe winning the prize of launching four pieces on the website RueLaLa.com. But this reporter, as you might already know, was also a competitor on the show, building – with expert designer Thai Nguyen (pronounced TIE WHEN) (ThaiNguyencouture.com) – a convertible line of clothing we called “Inside Out.” We finished at first runners up and are incredibly proud of our ten piece collection – and you can see all of it on Bravotv.com. In the meantime, as we attempt to get financing for this line, Thai is launching two lines of his own: a fall 2010 collection of dresses that he will show in Los Angeles in late March, and a line of bridalwear.
Since Thai’s looks on “Launch My Line” were so striking – so beautifully built, tailored, constructed – we decided to do a profile of the budding young designer who makes his home – and eponymous store – in Orange County. He’s definitely a local SoCal talent to watch. He even designed all of my looks for this current and second season of “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” on Logo and VH1 – and they are amazing to see! So for all of those Thai fans out there, who wanted to see so much more of him on “Launch My Line” (he was too shy and modest to push his face in front of the camera, unlike others) – here he is!!! And these looks here are previews of his stunning new fall 2010 collection. Be prepared to swoon. Merle Ginsberg
FASHIONRULES: Thai, tell us about your background, breaking into the fashion business.
THAI NGUYEN: I graduated from FIDM in 2003. Then I got a job designing in the denim division of BCBG in Los Angeles. But I wanted to come back to the Vietnamese community and I did that, and became on of the top wardrobe stylists and designers for the Southern California Vietnamese community and Vietnamese singers and performers. In 2007, I opened my store, Thai Nguyen, where I create one of a kind evening gowns, dresses and bridal couture for customers. I also make one of a kind creations for singers and performers.
FASHIONRULES: Did you have any expectations of shooting Bravo’s “Launch My Line”? Apparently, you were the expert who finished the casting sewing contest first – and best!
THAI NGUYEN: Not really. It was a great opportunity as a Vietnamese person, it’s a big deal. I wanted America to see more of me – and my clothes! All they saw of me on Bravo was a story I told about my track team! I expected to be a lot funnier than I was on the show. I’m a very happy person, and you don’t see a lot of that on the show – just me looking very serious and at the sewing machine! But I’m very happy they didn’t turn me into an evil person – they made me ME and that was a good thing. No expectations. When you expect too much you just get hurt. I am glad that you and I got to show an entire ten piece collection in the finale, and we are getting great feedback from our collaboration – which was really great. I’m so lucky you and I clicked from the start! We had very complementary ideas and communicated very easily. It wasn’t like that for everybody!
FASHIONRULES: People are facebooking and emailing me a lot about our two amazing convertible evening gowns – the nude and peach organza that converts to a cocktail dress, and the last sequin gown in gold and black. People even want to order them!
THAI NGUYEN: Yes, definitely. We can make the gowns in terms of the style, we can replicate them – in terms of fabric, we can get it 90 percent right – it might not be exactly the same. It would made to order. Those fabrics came from Michael Levine in downtown LA, and I shop there all the time.
FASHIONRULES: What is your brand new fall collection like, that you will show in LA in late March?
THAI NGUYEN: The fall collection is all silk and flowy, very romantic, not so body conscious. It’s very chic elegant, the way I want to see women dressed. I suppose it has influences from New York and Europe, as well as Asia a bit. Sophisticated, but young and innocent at the same time. I could see Anne Hathaway or Carey Mulligan wearing these clothes. The color palette is black, navy, nude, grey, lavender and orchid – that Sandra bullock at the Golden Globes orchid. The fabrics are a mixture of silks from chiffon to organza – very romantic. The shape is straight down, not body-hugging like Dolce & Gabbana. It’s not a super sexy look – it’s more chic and lovely. And it’s drapey, with an unconverntional drape.
There is a lot of assymetry. And every look goes with the belt that I created. It’s all very wearable, I think, and great eveningwear for real life. It will definitely give women a moment of looks when they walk in a door – but never make them want to leave because they’re uncomfortable!
FASHIONRULES: Did you enjoy making my wardrobe for “Rupaul’s Drag Race” season two?
THAI NGUYEN: It was a great way to follow up shooting “Launch My Line.” There were 12 shows for Rupaul, and each one had a theme – like country, bridal, rock n’ roll – so I made the looks to go with the themes of the show. I also got to work in a lot of color, because color is better on television than black. I wanted you to look sexy sometimes; brainy other times; very judge-like – but chic! I can’t wait to see all the shows to see how the hair and makeup played with the outfits. And Merle, we have a lot of fun working together! I think you’re the perfect woman to be seen around town in my designs!
FASHIONRULES/MERLE GINSBERG: I think you’re going to be very pleased!! – MG
