Backstage at Spring Studios, moments after IVY Moda shows their first New York Fashion Week show, Creative Director Vy Nguyen stood surrounded by models and team members, visibly moved. “I’m actually speechless right now, I kind of want to cry,” she admitted to EnVi. “It was a lot of effort from everybody, not just me, so to see everything come together is surreal.”
This September, the brand’s NFYW debut became the culmination of two decades of family legacy. On the brand’s 20th anniversary, its latest collection made its way to NYC for the first time, signaling both celebration and transformation.
EnVi caught up with Nguyen backstage after the show to talk about her inspirations, Ivy Moda’s legacy, and the brand’s future.
A New Era
Founded in Hanoi in 2005, Ivy Moda has become a household name in Vietnam, celebrated for refined office wear and handcrafted evening gowns. With Nguyen’s appointment as Creative Director, the brand entered a new chapter. Born in Hanoi, Nguyen spent nearly a decade in New York before returning home to lead the family label, bringing with her a perspective shaped by both her Vietnamese heritage and international experience. “I actually lived in New York for 10 years, so it’s always been a dream,” she shared. “We’re from Vietnam, I’m from a small city in Asia, and for me to be here, to be in New York and do this, it’s so crazy, so surreal.”
The Spring/Summer 2026 collection reimagined Vietnamese daily wear through a global lens. Inspiration came from Vy’s memories of the women she grew up around in Hanoi. “It’s the movement of Vietnamese women going to work, because that’s what I grew up with,” she said.
On the runway, the looks balanced structure and ease, including tailored blazers softened by fluid draping, dresses designed for that perfect night out. A few looks carried direct references to Vietnamese traditional clothing, reinterpreted in modern silhouettes. “There’s a lot of inspiration from Ao Dai, traditional Vietnamese clothing,” Vy explained. “We have a few looks that are a variation of that.”
Vietnam On The Global Stage
The show was also a statement about Vietnam’s place in the fashion conversation. “I just want to bring true Vietnamese fashion on a more international stage,” Nguyen told EnVi with conviction. “That’s my goal right now.” Vietnam is often associated with garment production, but through Ivy Moda, she hopes to show the world its design vision and creativity.
“My family is one of the number one brands in Vietnam for office wear and work wear. I was inspired by women wearing something pretty to work. This is what it is like, it’s a lot of movement, a lot of flow. It’s kind of just a representation of that.”
An official statement to the press echoed this intention, noting the collection as “a celebration of where we’ve come from, and a declaration of where we’re going.” For Nguyen, that meant honoring a 20-year history while demonstrating that Vietnamese design is ready to compete on the global runway.
After the show wrapped and the audience applauded, Nguyen repeated, “It’s so surreal,” still processing the milestone moment. Her answers consistently returned to gratitude for her team, her family, and the women whose everyday elegance inspired the collection. The show marked Ivy Moda’s anniversary on an international stage and, for Nguyen, the beginning of a new chapter in her family’s story.
Craving more Fashion Week debuts? Check out EnVi’s interview with Allina Liu here!
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