[In Pictures] Vietnamese ancient costumes restored by young people

Founded in 2019 and officially put into operation in 2020 by "amateurs", Great VietNam has been focusing on researching and restoring Vietnamese costumes from hundreds of years ago.
[In Pictures] Vietnamese ancient costumes restored by young people
In 2019, Great VietNam was born from its first "pillars": Vu Duc (29 years old) and Truong Tuan Anh (34 years old). They are both “outsiders” in the field of culture and fashion, but they share the same passion for researching and understanding traditional culture. At this time, Vu Duc (pictured) pursued painting and posting on social networking platforms.
In 2019, Great VietNam was born from its first "pillars": Vu Duc (29 years old) and Truong Tuan Anh (34 years old). They are both “outsiders” in the field of culture and fashion, but they share the same passion for researching and understanding traditional culture. At this time, Vu Duc (pictured) pursued painting and posting on social networking platforms.
Meanwhile, Tuan Anh researched, designed, and sewed traditional patterns himself, while also participating in the Dai Viet Flowers project.

Meanwhile, Tuan Anh researched, designed, and sewed traditional patterns himself, while also participating in the Dai Viet Flowers project.
Vu Duc said that initially, the group often redrawn the long bao (dragon robe for the king) and phuong bao (phoenix robe), based on the costume models and images that were said to be reconstructed without any doubt. However, later, when researching further, especially with the opportunity to access the original images of many artifacts, they realised many discrepancies in their work. "These deviations have a significant impact on history," Vu Duc said.
Vu Duc said that initially, the group often redrawn the long bao (dragon robe for the king) and phuong bao (phoenix robe), based on the costume models and images that were said to be reconstructed without any doubt. However, later, when researching further, especially with the opportunity to access the original images of many artifacts, they realised many discrepancies in their work. "These deviations have a significant impact on history," Vu Duc said.
Digging deeper, the group members realized that some costumes were reconstructed in a simulated manner, not completely accurate. Therefore, Great VietNam began the path of restoration in its own way.

Digging deeper, the group members realized that some costumes were reconstructed in a simulated manner, not completely accurate. Therefore, Great VietNam began the path of restoration in its own way.
Great VietNam agreed to only restore costumes with images and artifacts to ensure comparison. As a technical engineer, Tuan Anh was in charge of making costume drawings. Vu Duc studied communications and political science, so he took care of document searching and proofreading. To ensure that the original was closely followed from drawing to the launching of the finished product, some samples took up to three years, especially “long bao” and “huong bao”.

Great VietNam agreed to only restore costumes with images and artifacts to ensure comparison. As a technical engineer, Tuan Anh was in charge of making costume drawings. Vu Duc studied communications and political science, so he took care of document searching and proofreading. To ensure that the original was closely followed from drawing to the launching of the finished product, some samples took up to three years, especially “long bao” and “huong bao”.
Researching and controlling are quite difficult because there are not many sources. They also went to international auction floors and some museums in Europe and the US to find preserved images. Luckily, there are costumes with specific sizes recorded and images to enlarge.
Researching and controlling are quite difficult because there are not many sources. They also went to international auction floors and some museums in Europe and the US to find preserved images. Luckily, there are costumes with specific sizes recorded and images to enlarge.
After getting a unified drawing, they will print the fabric and sew it into a real model. Embroidered shirts and hat accessories will be transferred to artisans in craft villages for production. Regarding materials, they look to craft villages such as: Van Phuc, La Khe, Buoi, Nha Xa, Nam Cao, Ma Chau, Tan Chau. For each costume model, the group posts on the fanpage and attaches documents.

After getting a unified drawing, they will print the fabric and sew it into a real model. Embroidered shirts and hat accessories will be transferred to artisans in craft villages for production. Regarding materials, they look to craft villages such as: Van Phuc, La Khe, Buoi, Nha Xa, Nam Cao, Ma Chau, Tan Chau. For each costume model, the group posts on the fanpage and attaches documents.
The Great VietNam brand is increasingly known by many young people, and has the opportunity to appear in many major art shows.

The Great VietNam brand is increasingly known by many young people, and has the opportunity to appear in many major art shows.
Vu Duc next to a model of ancient costume that was painstakingly restored.

Vu Duc next to a model of ancient costume that was painstakingly restored.
Talking about future development orientation, Vu Duc and all members of the team hope to be able to incorporate ancient costumes into cultural and artistic projects that have a large spread in the community, and even bringing ancient costumes into everyday life, contributing to affirming the strong vitality of ancient costumes as well as the immutability of fashion in general.

Talking about future development orientation, Vu Duc and all members of the team hope to be able to incorporate ancient costumes into cultural and artistic projects that have a large spread in the community, and even bringing ancient costumes into everyday life, contributing to affirming the strong vitality of ancient costumes as well as the immutability of fashion in general.
A "mang bao" often worn by court officials.
A "mang bao" often worn by court officials.
Every detail and line on each ancient costume model is carefully researched, with meticulous comparison and care in even the smallest detail.

Every detail and line on each ancient costume model is carefully researched, with meticulous comparison and care in even the smallest detail.
The ancient hat model was restored by Great Vietnam.

The ancient hat model was restored by Great Vietnam.
Vu Duc next to the restored "long bao" model.

Vu Duc next to the restored "long bao" model.
Dragon details are reproduced vividly and soulfully on the dragon robe model.

Dragon details are reproduced vividly and soulfully on the dragon robe model.
Photo: Thanh Dat

Photo: Thanh Dat
Although they are "outsiders", members of Great Vietnam have been and will continue on the path of recovery and spreading the spirit of Vietnam through ancient national costumes.
Although they are "outsiders", members of Great Vietnam have been and will continue on the path of recovery and spreading the spirit of Vietnam through ancient national costumes.

THANH DAT - SON BACH

Translated by NDO

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