American models don gold-pleated ao dai

Nam launched his gold-embroidered ao dai collection in California last Friday. The two American models participated in a photo shoot as part of Nam’s U.S. promotional campaign.
The collection has now been launched in Vietnam, the U.S. and France.

Both models wore designs that were a fusion of modern technology with elements of Vietnamese culture, including embroidered, inlaid gold, and gemstone embellishments.

Nam combined square necklines with highly-stylized detail to give his ao dai an evening gown feel and look.

Nam’s luxurious and elegant ao dai are unique mosaics of often disparate design motifs.

The collection also features bold colors, stark lines and bright elements to give traditional Vietnamese attire a new and modern touch.

Nam said he has more photo shoots planned at famous U.S. landmarks.
He said he cast models from outside Vietnam to emphasize the point that any woman from anywhere in the world can look stunning in an ao dai.

Before the shoot, Nam said he spoke to the foreign models about the origin and meaning of the traditional Vietnamese tunic so they’d be better able to convey the spirit of his creations.