The holiday season is fast approaching, so it’s time to break out those stunning gowns and dresses that are meant for compliments. The task of finding the perfect dress can be difficult, especially when we go through shopping lulls and have nothing to wear. Instead, we’re left with the oh-so-stressful mission of finding that jaw dropping “it” dress just in time. To help alleviate the “what do I wear” panic, take a peek at designer Vi Hoang’s special occasion wear line Dolly Pearl, and get to know the creative woman behind it.
Audrey Magazine: When did you first discover your passion for fashion design, and what motivated you to pursue special occasion and bridal wear?
Vi Hoang: I’ve always been interested in the world of fashion. I started reading my aunt’s Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines at age 9. It was a world so far from my own, but the glamorous images of supermodels, designers, and celebrities were permanently tattooed into my head at an early age. I can even remember specific photoshoots from the 90’s that will never be erased from my memory. My path into special occasion and bridal wear was an accidental surprise. After winning the Daily Candy ‘Start Small, Go Big’ contest in 2010, the franchise owner of Bella Bridesmaid reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to do a capsule collection for them. The reaction was so great that I decided to go from ready-to-wear to special occasion/bridal.
AM: When did you first fall in love with Dolly Parton, the icon your line is partially named after?
VH: I’ve always loved Dolly Parton since I was a very young girl. I remember watching her on TV singing with Kenny Rogers, and how much I enjoyed her as a person, as well as her magnetic performance. Her kind/positive energy, humor, and great attitude towards life made a huge impact on me through the years.
AM: What do you consider a signature feature of your designs?
VH: My silhouettes are easy and minimal, and the details almost always involve dramatic ruffles and bows-very sweet and feminine, but also modern.
AM: Can you share one of the most difficult challenges of being in fashion design, and how you overcame it?
VH: Fashion design is a very competitive industry. Bridal wear is even more competitive and becoming more and more saturated. The way I have and continue to overcome it is to make my brand more personal. Through social media, I make a personal connection with fans and clients of the line. Social media is such a huge part of our daily lives, and I make an effort to take advantage of this to connect to my audience.
AM: Taking on a creative career as an Asian-American woman, did you feel positive support?
VH: Absolutely. I was always a very artistic child, so it was no surprise to my parents that I wanted to pursue a career in fashion. I’m lucky to have parents who didn’t push me to be something other than what I wanted. When I entered the Daily Candy contest, and had to push for votes, I discovered how supportive my family, friends, and peers were, and that was so amazing to see and experience.
AM: What future hopes do you have for your line?
VH: I hope that my line will continue to grow and develop a bigger following. Being a small business owner is a challenge in so many ways, and the most important way to stay relevant is to connect to your clients and keep that momentum alive. I hope to continue to design beautiful options for women looking for something more memorable and fashion forward to wear for their special occasions. I hope to continue encouraging women that spending a little bit more for better quality, materials, and design is worth it for those once in a lifetime occasions.
Below are some lovely options for your upcoming holiday parties and festivities.
Feature Image And All Imagery Courtesy Of Vi Hoang, Dollypearl.com
