FASHION: Meet The Creative Director Behind V.A.LE Official
PHOTOS & ART DIRECTION - KATIE AIRD
We chat with North Manchester’s Viet Anh Le - the Creative Director behind his namesake couture brand V.A.LE Official.
Specialising in Haute Couture, womenswear, illustration, beading and embroidery - Le also has a passion for sketching and fashion illustration. His projects often hold an underlying message which he translates into fashion pieces and modern contemporary. He often looks to work with fun and exciting inspirations, whether it be unconventional fabrics or interesting concepts, and told us “I like to experiment with something new in each project I do”. A recent Fashion Design graduate from Salford University, he’s also currently studying for his Masters. We had a chat about where his interest in Fashion began, and found out more about the inspiration behind his F/W 23 collection - catch the editorial with stunning images by Liam Maxwell in the first issue of 1922 coming soon!
What was it that initially sparked your interest in Fashion?
When I was in high school, I wasn’t into fashion at that time, focusing more on Fine Art and sketching, so when I started to do my GSCE Exam I actually chose Textile Design and that’s I started to research about fashion. Then I fell in love with the craftsmanship - mainly for Haute Couture so that is why I first got into fashion.
Who would you say is your biggest fashion icon or inspiration?
My biggest inspiration comes from Balenciaga and Giambattista Valli. In Rome, where proportions can be both exaggerated and comforting, Giambattista Valli finds inspiration for his Haute Couture gowns. A true admirer of the Parisian woman's self-assured nature and free spirit, he found his niche in ready-to-wear, crafting collections that embody relaxed and effortless elegance. Balenciaga's Spanish heritage influenced many of his most iconic designs. His wide-hipped 'Infanta' dresses from the late 1930s drew on the portraiture of the 17th-century Spanish artist Diego Velázquez. Exaggerated silhouettes and embellishment.
What do you love and hate the most about the fashion industry?
Fashion has consistently been a source of joy for me. As a teenager I never missed an episode of shows like Behind the Project Runway and Fashion File (if you know, you know). I obsessed over designers and their fashion shows. Diligently memorizing the names of all the models who strode the runway. Wondering what life was like on Haute Couture in Paris.
Understanding early on the influence of style and what a change in appearance could evoke in others. In high school my classmates and I would hold fashion-offs for “Dress Down Friday” and I usually won (we wore uniforms the rest of the week). Knowing that I was on to something, I decided to take fashion and style seriously. So, I experimented with my own style during my BA in University of Salford.
I was conscious that changing of a basic jacket or wearing a particular flawless and street style could change a mood. To me that was powerful. Fashion had captivated me, and I knew it was my calling. Although my mother was having none of it, I secretly put all my efforts into getting there. I enrolled at the BA Fashion Design, graduated and am now studying for my Masters. Landed a job in fashion and eventually launched my own fashion label.
How was your time at University helpful to your journey?
Instantly I found a new passion. What I was learning was fascinating; How to build a sustainability strategy, draft a human rights policy and how to empower employees to do the right thing. I learned about the complexities of a supply chain and how to prevent child labour within it. Grasping that there was a huge learning curve and confusion about what sustainability actually means, resulted in 2 lessons. One, repairing the damage that has been done can only happen collectively doing what we can. Two, we must not be so hard on ourselves, it’s ok to start now. The world was transforming. Notably the rise of social media and more recently the issues of social justice and sustainability.
How did you first start your brand and can you tell us more about the name?
I am the founder of V.A.LE since 2020 and V.A.LE is named after my full name of Viet Anh Le. Also, this is all about my identity to produce something that is an exploration of elegance and sophistication through an expert understanding of couture. V.A.LE styled by me has femininity at its core. Designed for real women and men, it’s classic - yet modern, elegant, sophisticated and timeless.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your Fall/Winter 2023 collection – ‘Elegance is an Attitude’ which will be featured in Issue 1 of 1922?
This collection explores the concept of female bravery and is a testament to how women can use their physicality and strength to resist oppression, fight for their rights, and encourage others to persevere in their individual journeys.
Elegance means to me romantic, grace, being calm, being respectful for female empowerment and beautifully presented for that period. Gracefully, this means that I feel or appreciate something that was done or received. At the end of the day, maybe it's wiser to turn yourself in. In front of the miraculous magnitude of human generosity and to continue to say thank you, always with sincerity, if we have voices. It's for me, the new female empowerment, and the power I want to express in my final collection. That is all for me as designer for womenswear and it has always been a driving element.
“When you talk about couture, you talk about dreams, but dreams are the expression of something which is subconscious,”. I believe that’s about the freedom of expressing yourself.” I think it's more than just clothes, but you have to give back to a woman her beauty that comes to life.
What would you like to see more of in the creative scene across North Manchester?
It would be great to see more diversity and creativity from talented individuals who are not only from Manchester. In addition, create a community beyond Manchester where you can bring more people together, make new friends, and showcase your identity and creative work.
PHOTO CREDITS & INSTA LINKS DESIGNER @v.a.leofficial @vietanhle2000
PHOTOS & ART DIRECTION @driaeitak
STYLIST & ASSISTANTS @hlc_styling @neenkat @isobelhood @loushyy
MUA @josiemcivermua
MODELS @robynevecadman @maary.saa_