Be Áothentic: Building a Fashion Brand in the Pandemic
Episode description
How do you launch a fashion brand in the pandemic? Van Phan and Patricia Cruz, the creatives behind Vietnamese clothing brand Áothentic, sit down with Jen for an authentic conversation about the fashion industry and staying true to your heritage. We also talk about the dangers of selling out to a white audience, fast fashion and the struggles of building a brand virtually. We also discuss Van and Patricia's personal experiences as first-generation Vietnamese and first-generation Mexican Americans – and how that inspired their first collection.
About Our Guests
Van Phan is a first-generation Vietnamese American fashion designer based in Austin, Texas. With a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, more than 10 years of working in retail, and her most recent experience as a merchandise manager, Van decided to pivot her career path and begin building her own clothing brand. She recently launched her fashion brand Áothentic, which focuses on quality fabrics and careful craftsmanship. Her collections are inspired by Vietnamese clothing and culture, as well as the women in her life.
Patricia Cruz is an artist, visual designer and art director from Monterrey, Mexico who currently lives in Austin, Texas. The creative behind Áothentic’s lookbook and photography, Patricia also draws at @cara.de.paca on Instagram.
About Áothentic: Inspired by Vietnamese heritage, the name Áothentic comes from the Vietnamese word, “Áo,” meaning “shirt,” or “clothing,” when used with other words. Combining the word “Authentic” with “Áo”, we came up with Áothentic. Our clothing is meant to help you embrace your most authentic self and realize that you can rock any piece with confidence. One of our greatest influences is the fashion scene in Vietnam during the 1950s-1970s. This time period was bustling with energy, with women strutting around in both Áo Dài (the Vietnamese traditional dress) and the trendiest outfits of the time. We want Áothentic to carry that same energy, along with a touch of modern elegance. https://aothentic.com/