"The scariest thing isn’t copying others, it’s copying yourself."
In this TEDx talk, fashion designer Phan Đăng Hoàng explores the intersection of culture, identity, and creativity through his personal journey from a quiet town in Vietnam to the global fashion stage of Milan. With vivid reflections on his childhood spent in his mother’s tailor shop, Hoàng reveals how embracing his cultural roots gave him the confidence to break away from trends and craft designs that reflect his authentic self. His graduation collection, inspired by traditional Vietnamese artistry, became not just a personal triumph but a bold statement of motivation, vision, and education through fashion. This talk is a compelling celebration of original ideas, the power of self-belief, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself without losing who you are. A rising fashion designer, Phan Dang Hoang made history as the first Vietnamese designer to present a personal collection at Milan Fashion Week. A graduate with honors from the prestigious NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, he is now the founder and creative director of Phan Dang Hoang Studio. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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