On the second day of Singapore Fashion Week, one of the shows I was most looking forward to was Dion Lee, an awarded and influential fashion designer from Australia. If my memory serves me well, I first discovered Dion Lee when I saw this interlock top in his Spring 2014 collection on some websites and I was mesmerised by it. I followed him since then and have always been amazed at every single design he brought to life. 

What I love most about Dion Lee's design is that there are always quirky twists on the fabrics, interesting mix of colors, and unique details that make the audience go "Wow" every time watching his show. But no matter what, his clothes are always about elegance, sophistication, and sexiness. The Fall 2015 collection that Dion Lee brought to Singapore last week was not an exception. 

Drawing from the world of science, the collection creates concepts that communicate the perspective of a designer responding to his unique surroundings. There were a lot of sexy high slit, cascading cutting, and sliced cutout effects in various skirt and dress forms, transitioning from creamy white to mysterious black and rich emerald.  It was a sumptuous feast for the eyes of the audience that night. 

You may say that I'm biased, but the truth is, Dion Lee has outdone himself in every single collection. 

Hi everyone! 

Hope you have had a wonderful week so far. Today, I feel like sharing something very personal with you and I'd like to dedicate this blog entry to one woman who I truly admire (although, she might not even read this blog entry). 

Last week, I was so fortunate to be invited to a fashion talk with Diane von Furstenberg and to attend her fashion show during Singapore Fashion Week. I wore her signature wrap dress and a flirty clutch to Diane's show. During a one-hour talk, Diane shared with us a story of her life, how she started her business alone in America and how the wrap dress changed her life. She was so real, humorous and friendly that she made me feel as if my mother was sharing a story with me. Diane shared how the power of social networks changed the fashion industry, but also emphasized "social networking can be so powerful but in the end, we don't sell numbers, we sell clothes, bags, the quality, and the confidence of our brand". She continued "Everybody has their own brand. It's how you want to represent it". 

Having tried to build Crystal Phuong as my brand as long (and much) as I could, I can not agree with her more. I sat still and swallowed every single word she said for one precious hour. I was moved, inspired, and deeply motivated that I almost shed a tear. I can relate to her story so much as it is so similar to mine. She went to a foreign land with her big dream, started from scratch to make it come true. As for me, I left Vietnam to study and work in Malaysia for five years, at the age of 20 (thanks to my scholarship). I worked both day and night job tirelessly to support myself financially. Then, I moved to Singapore with empty hands. I went through all the hardship and started all over again. Most of you may not know that I don't come from a wealthy family. My parents could never afford to buy me expensive presents or dresses when I was little. I was brought up that If I wanted something, I had to work hard for it. 

Today, looking back during the 11 year- journey in foreign lands, I'm happy and proud of what I've achieved and gone through (both success and challenges). I always feel so grateful for people that I met, beautiful souls that lifted me up during my hard time.  Never a single day do I stop thinking of my dream and how to turn it into reality. Many times, it makes me frustrated and vulnerable to feel that I'm nowhere near my goals, I'm nobody, and I have no significant accomplishment in my life. But when I heard Diane said last week "Being vulnerable is OK", it was truly like a pat on my back and kept me going. 

At this point in my life, I am in the same situation as Diane was when she was 26. I don't know what I want to do, but I know exactly the woman I want to become. I want to lead my own life, have my own money, support myself and my family- not the type of woman who just sits there and waits for a man to feed her. A woman who is happy, effortless, capable, independent, and most importantly, kind. That's the woman I want to be.  

"You don't have to be a b**ch to be successful"- said my true inspiration, Diane von Furstenberg. 

Have you ever thought of what woman you want to be?