"With the Chu Du SS24 collection, Hanoia collaborated with two illustrators Lys Bui and Camelia Pham to bring new artistic ideas to our renowned lacquer products. "

INSPIRATION FROM CHU DU THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUNG ARTISTS

Themed after Chu Du, which was inspired by journeys and experiences, the two illustrators brought their own paintings of individuality, which are even contrasting. For Camelia Pham, inspiration came from a state of freedom in the mind, when she set foot on boundless green grass fields, where majestic mountain ranges and striking landscapes are within sight. The feeling of comfort and ease with each barefoot step placed on the lush green surface of the grassland is something she dreams of. In that vast natural landscape, there are wispy clouds drifting in the sky, cool water flowing through small streams, and white birds fluttering, along with the colorful palette of trees and grass. In contrast to the majesty and grandeur of Tam Phuong (the collection with illustrations from Camelia Pham) is the lively hustle of the streets, the bustling sounds of the neighborhood, and the urban vibe in Lys Bui’s illustration (a product line named Thong Dong).

Illustrator Camelia Pham

Illustrator Lys Bui

NEW VISION FOR ANCIENT CRAFT VALUES

The collaboration with Hanoia marks the first time for both illustrators to work with the delicate and complex lacquer material. Working with Hanoia's production team, Camelia Pham gained a deeper understanding of this million-year-old material and grace it with her own concept for the Tam Phuong painting. Given the window frame design, she wanted to convey the feeling of immersing oneself in nature, from which she painted a scene of galloping horses on green meadows, surrounded by mountains, leading to a blooming flower – a metaphorical message of how every journey brings not just temporary emotions but also valuable experiences that crystalize along the way. 

Camelia Pham had an encounter of excitement working on the glossy red lacquer surface. Carefully choosing bright colors helped to highlight small details such as the hands and eyes... while also capturing the viewer's visual attention, allowing them to immerse themselves in the painting easily and empathetically.

For Lys Bui, tackling the tricky task of designing a material as complex as lacquer was a bit more familiar. In the small alleyways with two versions of Hanoi and Saigon, she added a new detail based on each design of the vase and box of Hanoia: among the bustling flow of people, the characteristic the city’s utility poles created a fresh and imaginative connection between blocks of houses, setting a lively movement around the Thong Dong painting.

But the difficulty for the young artist was that she had never worked directly with lacquer before. Thus, when illustrating for this intricate and complex material, she had to study and work alongside the artisan to come up with a suitable method to emphasize the unique architectural features of the city through minimalist details. Whether it's a bike gliding past or a cool cup of coffee on a small plastic chair, everything was carefully arranged and designed to preserve the peaceful charm of the old town.

HARMONIOUS CONVERGENCE OF TWO GENERATIONS

Collaborating with Hanoia, the young artists connected with traditional values, and at the same time, approached a delicate art form that embodies the charm of Vietnamese craft. Took a fancy in lacquer, Lys Bui and Camelia Pham showcased their distinct personalities, bringing even more diversity by spreading the beauty of that traditional material to a wider range of audience.

Hanoia also had the opportunity to renew ourselves by getting closer to young talents through the application of craft techniques, thereby bringing a long-lasting and contemporary beauty to the lacquer material. With the harmony between the application of lacquer and the typical manual techniques, Hanoia, Lys Bui, and Camelia Pham transformed the Tam Phuong and Thong Dong paintings into bright spots, adding a fresh touch to the journey full of free essence named Chu Du.