Vietnamese Designer Hà Nhật Tiến Returns to Fashion Scene After Month as Ride-Hailing Driver

Hà Nhật Tiến, a 38-year-old designer from Ho Chi Minh City with nearly two decades in the fashion industry, has been offered a new opportunity to rebuild his brand with the support of a businessman. This comes after a challenging period where he worked as a ride-hailing driver for over a month to cover living expenses. Tiến shared that he was unexpectedly approached by an entrepreneur after his story of working as a driver went viral on social media. The collaboration is slated to begin on September 15, with Tiến taking on the role of creative director. "I am very surprised, as I thought it would only be a design collaboration. This is beyond my expectations and a great opportunity and turning point in my life. I never thought someone would accompany me to open my own brand," he said. Known for his participation in the "Ngôi sao thiết kế Việt Nam" (Vietnam Design Star) competition and showcasing collections at events like Hong Kong Fashion Week, Tiến had previously launched several successful collections. His "Before Sunset" show in Ha Long in 2019 was particularly memorable. He also pursued photography alongside his design work. However, the pressures of independently managing a fashion brand—including creativity, sourcing, staffing, operations, finances, production, and sales—led to him closing his store twice. In the last three years, he struggled to afford rent in Ho Chi Minh City. In mid-July, facing professional deadlock, Tiến decided to pause his fashion pursuits and become a ride-hailing driver to make ends meet. He described the decision as necessary for survival and for "self-healing" and finding a new path, admitting he was unsure how long he would drive. Friends encouraged him, hoping for his swift return to fashion. During his month as a driver, Tiến remained introspective, seeking a way back to his craft. He expressed a longing to sketch again, stating, "My joy is when a sketch becomes a real product and someone wears and loves it." Tiến has always desired support in business and operations, areas where he admits he is less experienced, to focus on creativity. Thus, he sees the offer to create a new brand as a "dream come true." Having faced setbacks in his solo entrepreneurial journey, Tiến has shifted his perspective. He now believes that to survive in the market, one must offer designs that customers need, rather than solely what the designer desires. "I am reducing my ego to listen and adjust my creativity based on data and market trends. I will try my best and focus the most on each upcoming product," he stated, expressing hope for the reception of his new designs.