Designer Hientje Nguyen: “I want to discover young talents who are ambitious, passionate, and have the potential to shape the future of Vietnam’s luxury leather fashion industry.”

Designer Hientje Nguyen confers with fellow members of the judging panel during the evaluation session for contestants in the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different. Vietnam’ competition.”

Interviewer:“What inspired you to accept the invitation to serve as a judge for the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different. Vietnam’ competition?”

Hientje Nguyen:“As a creative image consultant for brands such as Vitita and Hiente Holland, as well as public figures including international fashion designer Quỳnh Paris, singer Trang Nhung, and CICON founder and chairman Park Bong Kyu of South Korea, I have also pioneered the design and craftsmanship of genuine leather handbags and accessories in Vietnam.*

For me, accepting the role of judge was a natural decision. First, the competition aligns perfectly with the field I have dedicated more than 23 years of my career to. More importantly, I believe in the significance of this event. It is a large-scale, industry-focused competition that aims to discover young talents with ambition, passion, and the potential to advance Vietnam’s leather and fashion industry onto the international stage.

*My own work has always focused on innovation in genuine leather fashion, and this competition celebrates creativity through leather as a material. That shared vision made it especially meaningful for me to be part of the judging panel and support the next generation of creative designers.”

“Designer Hientje Nguyen standing beside a contestant’s fashion design crafted from genuine leather.”

Interviewer:As the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different.’ competition is an international event held across multiple countries, did you feel any pressure taking on the responsibility of serving as a judge?

Hientje Nguyen:This was my first time serving as an honorary judge for a competition of such scale in the leather footwear and fashion industry, so I naturally felt a little nervous before taking my seat on the judging panel.*

However, once the evaluation began, my emotions completely changed. I truly enjoyed reviewing each entry, carefully observing and analyzing every design in depth while working closely with my fellow judges to identify the contestants with the greatest potential.

*It has been a genuine honor to take part in this competition and to accompany it throughout its journey—from the early stages all the way to the final round.

Designer Hientje Nguyen (second from the left) with fellow members of the judging panel for the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different. Vietnam’ competition

Interviewer:From your perspective as a designer, competition entries are expected to demonstrate creativity, humanistic values, environmental responsibility, and commercial potential. As a judge, which of these criteria would you consider the highest priority when evaluating the contestants’ work?

Hientje Nguyen:“For me, all of these criteria deserve equal weight, and the strongest designs are those that achieve a harmonious balance among them. However, if I were to prioritize them, my order would be: (1) Creativity, (2) Humanistic values and environmental responsibility, and (3) Commercial value.*

The reason is simple. Creativity is the driving force behind progress. Without innovation, no industry can continue to evolve or move forward—it is essential to its long-term survival.

Humanistic values and environmental responsibility are equally vital in today's world. At a time when environmental challenges have become increasingly severe, every product created by this generation should reflect a commitment to sustainability, respect for nature, and the well-being of all living things.

Commercial value is also important because it provides the economic foundation that allows a product to survive and grow. It is, in many ways, the lifeblood of every creative work. However, I believe commercial success should be built upon creativity and meaningful purpose. When a product is truly innovative and created to serve people with genuine value, its commercial potential is naturally elevated and becomes far more sustainable in the long run.”

Designer Hientje Nguyen with contestants of the competition, accompanied by the support of premium leather handbag brand Vitita.

Interviewer:As a creative image consultant, brand strategist, and designer of genuine leather handbags and accessories, what significance does the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different. Vietnam’ competition hold for you?

Hientje Nguyen:“This competition provides an inspiring platform for young creatives to showcase their talent, passion, and determination to contribute to the leather and fashion industry through innovation.*

I believe it represents more than just a competition. It marks an important milestone in fostering creativity and strengthening the development of brand value within Vietnam’s fashion industry. More importantly, it is a meaningful step toward enriching the country's leather and footwear sector with greater originality, diversity, and innovation, allowing Vietnamese creativity to stand alongside the global fashion community.

As someone from an earlier generation of designers, I am truly delighted to see more young people embracing genuine leather fashion as a creative discipline. To me, it is not only a pathway toward a more sustainable fashion industry, but also a way of preserving and expressing cultural identity through thoughtful and distinctive design.

Runway presentation of the ‘My Trip Paris’ collection during the Inspiration Fashion Show at the Real Leather. Stay Different. Awards USA

Interviewer:“Thank you, Designer Hientje Nguyen, for sharing your valuable insights and perspectives on the industry. Your reflections, drawn from your first experience serving as a judge for the ‘Real Leather. Stay Different.’ competition, have offered an inspiring and multifaceted view of creativity, innovation, and the future of leather fashion