A Vibrant Journey to Ho Chi Minh City with TTK Collective
We just returned from a fun but exhausting three-week trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture, connected with our amazing partners at TTK Collective, ate LOADS of food (as in too much), and made some exciting strides in our latest collection. Join us as we share the highlights of our adventure, including a holiday trip to Hoi An!
Week 1: Touchdown
Our journey began with a warm, sticky, and humid welcome at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The city's energy was as electrifying as ever. As we made our way to the transfer, we encountered hundreds of girls running and screaming, excited by the arrival of a pop star—not us, unfortunately. By the time we navigated through the chaotic traffic and reached our hotel, the kids were overtired, and to top it off, we struggled to unlock the door. It felt like a pressure cooker moment!
Week 1: Production House Visit
Our first stop was TTK Collective's production house, a charming two-story house nestled in a quiet district. The top story, dedicated to cutting and sampling, buzzed with creative energy. The bottom story, used for sewing and fabric storage, showcased meticulous organisation and efficiency. Touring this space, we marvelled at the craftsmanship and innovative techniques that bring our designs to life. The team there is amazing and has been built over 12 years. They are a tight knit team that is full of Joy and work very closely together, even bringing their children in from time to time.
Week 1: Exploring Tan Binh Market
Next, we ventured into the bustling Tan Binh Market, famous for its treasure trove of deadstock fabrics. Navigating through the maze of stalls, we handpicked some truly unique and high-quality fabrics mostly for ourselves and custom orders. The vibrant colours and diverse textures we found were beyond our expectations and sparked endless creative ideas for our future collections. We loved visiting long term supplier and seeing the smile on their face when we arrived in person as its been a year since.
Week 2: Holiday Trip to Hoi An
Midway through our trip, we took a holiday break and travelled to the picturesque town of Hoi An. This charming town, with its well-preserved architecture and rich cultural heritage, was the perfect getaway. We caught up with family, explored the ancient streets, enjoyed the local cuisine, and soaked in the serene ambiance. Between the beach and the pool we got our weekly vitamin D. The break provided a refreshing pause, filling us with new inspirations for our work.
Week 3: Sampling New Designs
Back in Ho Chi Minh City, it was time to process and sample our new wide-leg French Terry track pants (my absolute FAV!). The team meticulously cut, stitched, and assembled the pieces, ensuring every detail was perfect. We also sampled some cosy new sweaters, which are going to be a great transeasonal piece as they are a nice mid weight. Watching our designs transform from sketches to tangible garments is always a rewarding experience. The ladies got them all finished so that we could bring them back with us to use for a photoshoot.
Week 3: Dinner with the TTK Team
After a productive day, we had the pleasure of shouting the TTK Collective team a beautiful dinner with their families. The dinner was filled with laughter, delicious Vietnamese cuisine, and inspiring conversations. Building such a strong rapport with our partners is one of the most fulfilling aspects of our journey. Their dedication and passion truly resonate with our vision.
Week 3: Capturing the Magic
We dedicated our final days to capturing content. The vibrant cityscape of Ho Chi Minh City provided the perfect backdrop for photos and videos. From the bustling streets to the serene Saigon River, every frame told a story of creativity, collaboration, and culture. We can’t wait to share these moments with you all!
Reflecting on the Journey
As we boarded our flight back home, we couldn't help but feel a deep sense of accomplishment and excitement for what's to come. Our trip to Ho Chi Minh City was more than just a business endeavour; it was a celebration of collaboration, culture, and creativity. We’re incredibly grateful to the TTK Collective team for their hospitality and hard work.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on our latest collection, inspired by the vibrant energy and unique fabrics of Ho Chi Minh City. Until next time, keep embracing fashion that tells a story!
Here we are post facial looking the goods!
until next time
Nicki and Nell xx