Bonus Episode: Cross-Cultural Exchange with Môi Điên’s Tom Trandt

Australia’s connections with Vietnam are many and varied, not least of all in relation to fashion. Vietnam is the second largest garment exporter in the world; a place with a long history of fashion creativity, innovation, tradition, and local trade.

Australians have long benefited from talented Vietnamese garment makers. So, how are the connections between fashion designers and creatives in Australia and Vietnam being celebrated and supported today?

Today’s guest is Tom Trandt, founder of Môi Điên Studio in Saigon, Vietnam. Last year, Tom was one of four Vietnamese designers to participate in a RMIT-led cross-cultural craft and design exchange called đây đó (here/there).

The collaborative project, which brought together designers, artists and creative craft practitioners from Australia and Vietnam, promotes contemporary design practice while sustaining traditional forms of art and craft. It opened opportunities for cultural, economic and knowledge exchange between makers and designers from the two countries.

Harriette spoke to Tom about his practice and his experiences participating in the đây đó (here/there) project.

Show notes:

Môi Điên Studio on Instagram

Môi Điên Studio’s website

The đây đó (here/there) project

Episode one of the Critical Fashion Studies Podcast