Huu La La : Love From Within

Writers : Ngan Le & Nhu Pham
Editors : Chi Nguyen, Trang Linh Tran & Nhu Pham

Nguyen Thi Hue Huu is a fashion designer and entrepreneur. She is the person behind the clothing brand Huulala and the homestay chain Phơri's House.

We had a chance to have a conversation with Huu about her life, career, and her special experiences as a woman. We met her on a chilly early autumn day in Hanoi. Huu entered BlackBird Cafe with a bright smile and an excited spirit even though she had just flown from Saigon. We sat down and had a chat.

- Huulala is a brand that is very diverse in its clothing sizes. However, many local brands these days only produce one to two sizes or very small sizes. Do you have any comments on this?

The reason these local brands exist and have many stores, means that they are on the right track. Every brand has a strategy and a fixed audience to focus on. According to my observations, most of the women in Vietnam have small bodies. In production and business strategy, the priority is profit and small sizes often sold first.

The reason why Huu La La is diverse is because from the beginning, my belief is that everyone can be beautiful. Since I started working in fashion, I have thought that many people do not feel confident about their body and I want to design clothes that anyone, no matter the body size, can feel beautiful. To feel beautiful, however, depends on the confidence you feel from within . For example, there is a staff member at my store, I often tell her that instead of being self-conscious about being chubby, she should embrace her beauty and feel confident about it. When my customers come in, ladies that have given birth to two, three children and their bodies are more rounded, and they see my staff being happy and comfortable in her body, my customers feel encouraged to be more accepting to their bodies as well. Huu La La has many sizes and designs suitable for both young people and people over 50. The clothes are also diverse in styles, we have clothes for women’s typical nights out to daily rustic outfits.

- Do you think Vietnam now has enough fashion brands that cater to different body types?

There are some, but not many, for instance brands such as Huulala, Minh Hạnh, Đỗ Mạnh Cường, IVY Moda. 

-What advice do you have for those who are insecure about their bodies, especially women who feel insecure to wear áo dài?

About 6 to 7 years ago, Huu La La pioneered a more comfortable modern ao dai suitable for more body shapes - ao dai cach tan. In 2015, I organized an embroidered Ao Dai fashion exhibition "Tôi Đẹp"- “I Am Beautiful” for non-professional models. In our line up, we featured people of all age groups, body types, and sexual orientation. Since I was a child, I have always believed that everyone deserves to be loved and respected. To me, people who are not comfortable wearing áo dài don't necessarily have an issue with the áo dài itself, but they are not confident from the inside. When you have enough confidence, whatever you wear is beautiful. In the past, I used to be very insecure, so I understand. Now I believe that everything I wear is beautiful (laugh). A lot of people even ask me why I look good in everything.  However, I am around 150 cm tall, I've had two children, I don’t have an ideal figure, I don’t think I have a unique face, and my skin is a bit darker than the Vietnamese standard. I think that the self-confidence you have from within will radiate on the outside, that is what matters.

The fact that I think I'm beautiful doesn't depend on other people's opinions. It is up to you to define it. From the definition of success, beauty, and happiness is up for me to define, not others.

“The reason why Huu La La is diverse is because from the beginning, my belief is that everyone can be beautiful”

- You are an independent and successful woman, what do you think about the social stereotype that women must focus on taking care of their families?

I think that it is an outdated prejudice. It is true that some men still think women have to take care of their families, and that’s it. But I have not encountered such mindsets, since I am surrounded by very progressive and open-minded people. People around me understand that  being a successful woman does not mean that I can't value family.  For example, I myself value family a lot, and I still make quality time for my two children. That said, not all relationships that fail to reach marriage are unsuccessful. Any experiences or relationships are valuable. 

- Have you ever felt that the stereotype about a woman being happy only when she is married affects you?  What do you think of this prejudice and can you share some advice for girls who are basing their self-worth on this notion?

I believe that women with or without a family are of equal value. Happiness does not depend on having a family, it depends on inner happiness. Happiness depends on each person, there is not a certain definition. One day I can be happy, and one day I can be sad. For me, experiencing nature, reading and working is happiness. But keep in mind that people are different. Happiness also changes with time and experience. When I was 18 years old, I was given a book and she felt appreciated. Other people might feel happier if they've gotten  something else. Who are you and what makes you happy? I have to ask myself. Each person has different experiences and from that you know what makes you happy. For that, maybe for a different woman, having a family is what she defines as being happy, but for me is different. Therefore, we have to seek our own happiness, and that does not necessarily mean getting married. 

“ Happiness does not depend on having a family, it depends on inner happiness”

- According to you, being a mother includes not only taking care of your children, but also loving and taking care of yourself. How did you reach this conclusion?

I know how to manage my time, dividing time wisely between my family and for myself. I often travel alone and during that time I will ask my children’s father to look after them. If you take care of yourself and give your children freedom, both you and your children can be happy, and thus would feel happy spending time alone or with others. Many people think that being a single mother, my children will feel lonely. However, I think that the children will only be unhappy when the mother or parent projects their sadness or anger on their children. But, if we can respect each other, just like me and the father of my children. We are co-parenting our children in a civilized way, dividing time between the two homes. I believe that by doing this, we are raising our children in a way that makes my children and I happy. 

I do not let the stereotypes of being a single mother affect me. I still go out on dates, and my children are very supportive of my dating life. I share my experiences with my children as if they were my friends. My children are happy for me because they understand that this is what makes me happy. I believe that I don't have to give up on and she doesn't have to give up on pursuing her own happiness just because I have children, and they are not mutually exclusive. 

-What advice do you have for women to take the courage to live their own lives and have the courage to pursue their dreams?

You never know what the future holds, so we just need to live in the moment and most importantly, know the purpose of money making.Make money to pursue happiness. View money as a mean to take care of ourselves, to take care of our families and children. Don’t view money as a tool to stress out and put pressure on your kids. It's good to have a career goal, but don't think of it as you have to choose your family or your career. Don't put too much importance on your career either , but find a way to balance both your happiness and career.

“Don't put too much importance on your career either , but find a way to balance both your happiness and career”

Thank you for having this conversation with Áo Dài today.