Why cosay is made in Vietnam
In my mid-twenties, I lived in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, for two years. While I was there, I started imagining what it might be like to create a clothing label of my own.
I spent hours exploring the fabric markets. There were stalls everywhere, filled with rolls and stacks of textiles. Some were organized by color, while others specialized in particular materials.
The women who worked there seemed to know every piece of fabric in their care. I could describe what I was looking for, and they would reach into a mound of textiles and pull out exactly the right one. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, except they always knew where the needle was.
They taught me how different fabrics would behave. They knew which ones would trap heat, which would breathe, and which would work best for the garment I wanted to make.
Vietnam was also where I was first introduced to linen. I had a linen shirt made and remember how lightweight it felt in Saigon’s heat. It didn’t trap heat against my body, and it absorbed some moisture without feeling heavy. That benefit of linen often gets overlooked, but it made such a difference in hot weather.
Once I found a fabric I loved, I would bring it to a local tailor. Sometimes I arrived with a photograph, and other times I had only an idea. They could understand how a garment was constructed and adjust it to fit my body.
That experience gave me a lasting appreciation for Vietnamese craftsmanship. You can see the same skill in the making of an áo dài. Although it appears simple and graceful, it requires careful measurements and precise construction to fit and move beautifully.
I never started the clothing line I imagined back then. I was inexperienced and didn’t know how to turn an idea into a business, so it remained a hobby. But the idea stayed with me.
When I finally decided to start cosay, making the collection in Vietnam felt natural. It was where I discovered linen and first experienced the excitement of bringing a clothing idea to life.
Vietnam also has a thriving fashion scene, with a growing number of independent designers and small brands beginning to reach people around the world. I’m excited to see Vietnamese fashion gaining more recognition, not only for how well clothing is made there, but also for the creativity and point of view coming from within the country.
Making cosay in Vietnam is also a meaningful way for me to support and celebrate my parents’ home country. I’m proud to be Vietnamese American, and I want to share the quality, knowledge, and craftsmanship that can come from Vietnam.
Every cosay piece is designed in Brooklyn and made in Vietnam. I’m proud that the collection brings together the place I call home and the country my family comes from.