For the first time, Real Leather. Stay Different. arrives in Vietnam—celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and the next generation of design talent. Our panel brings together talented leaders in Vietnamese leathercraft, from master shoemakers to award-winning designers and educators.
Each judge brings a deep understanding of leather’s beauty, potential and sustainability, along with a shared passion for preserving traditional skills while championing innovation. With their combined expertise, they’ll be looking for standout designs that honour the material and push boundaries in fashion, accessories and footwear.
Get to know the experts who will be guiding and judging this year’s competition entries.
Ms Do Pham Khanh Hoa: Leather Designer
Ms Do Pham Khanh Hoa is a skilled leather designer who has devoted more than a decade to mastering and promoting the art of leathercraft. After ten years in a senior management role at Viettel, one of Vietnam’s largest telecommunications companies, she made a bold decision to follow her true passion—working with real leather.
Since then, Ms Hoa has immersed herself in the world of leathercraft, creating finely made pieces and fostering a community of like-minded artisans. Her talent and dedication were internationally recognised in 2019 when she won third place at the World Leather Debut competition in the United States—a prestigious honour that brought pride to both her and the broader Vietnamese leathercraft community.
Alongside her creative work, Ms Hoa has long been committed to education, particularly through teaching at vocational centres for women. Today, she runs her own business, specialising in handmade leather goods, where she continues to share her craft and inspire others.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BeesHandmadeLeather
Nguyen Thanh Nhan: Shoemaker, Artist and Entrepreneur
Nguyen Thanh Nhan is a Vietnamese shoemaker, artist and entrepreneur devoted to preserving and advancing the craft of handmade footwear. As founder and director of Viet Anh, he has built a renowned brand known for its high-quality handcrafted shoes and for celebrating traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship.
Nhan has developed a comprehensive ecosystem around his brand, which includes a large-scale workshop, vocational tourism area, interactive hands-on experience zone and a dedicated showroom—all designed to share his passion and deepen public appreciation for the art of shoemaking.
More than a successful businessman, Nhan is a committed mentor, having trained many skilled artisans and aspiring shoemakers. He is currently planning a specialised training centre focused on promoting and sustaining Vietnam’s handmade shoe industry.
His work has earned widespread recognition, including:
– Hanoi Craftsman honour (2019)
– Gold Medals and High-Quality Vietnamese Goods certifications
– The Golden Hand Cup award
– Official recognition for his contribution to the preservation of traditional Vietnamese crafts
Website: https://giayvietanh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VietAnhCompany/?locale=vi_VN
Nguyen Ha Nhat Huy: Fashion Designer
Nguyen Ha Nhat Huy is a celebrated Vietnamese fashion designer known for his elegant, modern designs and a strong presence on the national fashion scene. Originally graduating with a degree in electronics, his creative path took an unexpected turn in 2003 when he won the Swarovski Award at the Vietnam Collection Grand Prix—an event organised by the FaDin Fashion Institute and the Vietnam Textile and Garment Corporation. This marked the beginning of his journey into fashion.
In 2004, he refined his skills through an advanced fashion design course jointly held by FaDin and the French Fashion Institute. Since then, he has been a regular name at Vietnam Fashion Week, presenting both Spring-Summer and Autumn-Winter collections season after season.
Beyond the runway, Huy has designed for some of Vietnam’s most recognised beauty queens, actors and singers, while building his eponymous brand into a respected name in Vietnamese fashion.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/NTKNguyenHaNhatHuy
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