Vietnamese designer Duy Tran is clearly onto something. Over the past few years, his fashion label Fancì Club has been swiftly gaining traction—in part due to its stunning celebrity clientele spotted in a myriad of Fancì’s pieces. Think all the It-girls: Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Bella Hadid, Doja Cat, Hailey Bieber, Davikah and of course, Lisa and Jennie of Blackpink. A recent sighting was seen on the latter, where the superstar bedazzled in a red halter corset number while dancing to her all-new hit ‘Like Jennie’ during her solo concert tour. Indeed, this isn’t the first brush the designer has had with the girls of Blackpink, with custom-made pieces for Lisa’s solo stages during the course of the Born Pink world tour two years ago in Paris and Hanoi—where she dazzled in sumptuous metallic reimaginations of the brand’s Devil’s Delight corset.
The viral appeal of his pieces is certainly not lost on Tran whose response is one that could only sketch a picture of humility: “We (Tran and his team) are always surprised when we first see our designs being featured as they look so amazing on these artists and celebrities. Usually, our whole team would scream in joy as a way to celebrate this success and I always keep an eye out for every artist who wears our designs; they all look so unbelievably gorgeous.”
A closer look into his catalogue might reveal the true magic of Fancì’s cosmic appeal: playfully seductive silhouettes, all concocted out of sheer, slinky fabrics and a candy-coloured palette. Dig deeper into Tran’s world and the rather zany mood of his clothes are communicated immediately; the models are uninhibited in their performance before the camera; often rendered in poses that showcase unbridled movement; their barely-there Fancì pieces simply an extension of their spirited universe. It mirrors the vision Tran desires for the Fancì individual. “Someone who possesses kindness, sincerity, and pride in their identity, and who embodies those values through their actions. A Fancì individual’s beauty lies within, and they will be able to inspire many others and contribute to the world with their own vision—no matter their imperfections. Perhaps, it is their imperfections that only make them that much more beautiful.”
And with the ever-growing mass of his star-studded clientele, it’s clear there are only more Fancì-inclined individuals waiting to be swept up into Tran’s sartorial scape. It’s perhaps something Tran looks excitedly towards; for as his audience increasingly varies with time and continues to emerge from every corner of the world, he is only further inspired to dream and create. “These artists not only impress me but also give me inspiration as I continue to create and live. I am grateful to see that our design philosophies have been able to reach them from across the globe. Ultimately, our success means that there are no boundaries when it comes to fashion and beauty.”
From a single glance, it’s clear that boundaries were always meant to be transcended where Tran is concerned. Whilst his notion of glamour has always been inspired by fashion of the ’80s and ’90s, he contends that the stereotypical images of supermodels and its prevailing prejudices is one he is far removed from. “I want the brand to embody values of awareness: of our surroundings, of the self, and of the environment we’re living in today.” Instead, the people who inspire him are those closest to him; his friends, his staff and simply those who express themselves with confidence.
This humble and grounded approach to his creations, after all, are what keeps him going—and the reason behind founding Fancì Club in the first place. “Before Fancì was founded, I was very into second-hand clothing and even opened an online shop. Eventually I realised that many vintage pieces that seemed to be worn out could still be used if alterations or customisations were made to them. So I ended up adding a twist here and a twist there; before I knew it, I was upcycling the original pieces that I intended to sell.” Since the beginnings of Fancì have always been rooted in conscious innovation and drawing inspiration from one’s surroundings, it is also how Tran is choosing to move forward—with much of Fancì Club’s recent collections, such as its spring/summer 2023, putting a spotlight on some of their own local Vietnamese artisans. On this, he expresses: “Through this collection, we want the world to know that Vietnam can also design and create quality pieces that hit a desired aesthetic and stunning in their own right.”
