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Tatler Asia
25 minutes ago
- Tatler Asia
Domestic Quiet Luxury brand: What is market language if not your own voice?
Ideal and reality Above Loro Piana Spring/Summer 2025 Collection promotional campaign (photo: Loro Piana) Quiet Luxury, despite its discreet facade, is a commanding yet unspoken expression of the elite. Eschewing loud logos or bold hues, it appeals through exceptional fabrics, clean silhouettes, pure minimalism and a near-bespoke feel. It is the kind of luxury discernible only to those beyond the need to declare status. These are the individuals who walk into a grand occasion in a look that bears no overt branding, yet every detail emanates quiet confidence and refinement. Read more: Icon of Icons: LOEWE Puzzle Bag Above CHANEL Spring/Summer 2025 Collection promotional campaign (photo: CHANEL) Yet within the context of the Vietnamese market, quiet luxury remains a distant concept. Here, luxury is not merely a coat or handbag, but a social signifier. A CHANEL bag, a Max Mara coat, a pair of Bottega Veneta shoes, they serve as declarations of class, influence and standing. For many Vietnamese fashion lovers, the logo continues to be the most legible language in the high-end fashion space. Above Max Mara Spring/Summer 2024 Collection promotional campaign (photo: Max Mara) According to a report by FiinGroup, Vietnam's fashion market is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 9–10 per cent. This reflects a healthy momentum for local fashion. Over 200 international brands, ranging from mid-tier to luxury, currently operate in key cities. Domestic labels are not only contending with peers in their segment, but also with global powerhouses. Above Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2025 Collection promotional campaign (photo: Bottega Veneta) Although Vietnam has many wealthy yet discreet high-end customers, the segment that truly understands and is willing to invest in quiet luxury remains too narrow to sustain a purely minimalist luxury brand. This presents a considerable challenge for any designer pursuing this path within the country. The power of storytelling In the fertile landscape of quiet luxury, Vietnam holds rich creative promise, with names that have made a mark both at home and abroad. Among them are Nguyen Cong Tri, revered as the 'big brother' of Vietnamese fashion, for his aesthetic and artisanal design language; Lam Gia Khang, whose minimalist sensibility blends East–West inspirations; and Cuong Dam, with a philosophy grounded in 'minimalism for maximalism'. These designers entered the scene with a bold, singular vision: no logos, no gimmicks, no visual flamboyance—just premium materials, refined tailoring and a neutral palette infused with European elegance. Above Singer Ho Ngoc Ha wears designs by DANGHAIYEN (photo: DANGHAIYEN) With prices starting from VND8 million per piece, quiet luxury brands do not seek mass appeal. They cater to an affluent, discerning clientele who favour understatement. Yet those very strengths become fragile when tested in the realities of the market. Above Singers Bich Phuong, Huong Giang and Co Em Trendy wear minimalist designs by DANGHAIYEN (photo: DANGHAIYEN) DANGHAIYEN offers a cautionary tale. Its decline stemmed not only from an unprepared market but also from a development strategy that lacked firm direction. In the high-end segment, a loyal customer base is essential. While the clientele exists, they still gravitate towards international labels with recognisable branding. The audience truly fluent in minimalist fashion remains too small to sustain commercial viability. Quiet Luxury in Vietnam still requires time and trust to cultivate a community. This is something the brand had little chance to fully develop. Founder Dang Hai Yen spoke candidly with Tatler about the decision to cease operations: 'The closure of DANGHAIYEN coincides with the 10-year milestone of my career. It wasn't a decision made lightly, especially since the brand carries my most personal imprint. Running a fashion business professionally and to standard is not as simple as following your passion. I learned that during a time when I felt lost. When it's dark and you're unsure of your direction, it's best to stop, light a fire to warm yourself, rest—so that the next day, whether stormy or sunny, you can begin again in the best possible condition. After many years in operation, I feel it's time to pause and reassess how the market has evolved.' Above Resort Collection 2025 (photo: DANGHAIYEN) DANGHAIYEN's departure from the domestic scene stands as a quiet reminder to those dreaming of carving out space in Vietnam's quiet luxury realm. In a market where worth is still often measured by outward form, silence, however beautiful, must be shaped into a clear and memorable story. Only then can a name evoke not just aesthetic, but an enduring design philosophy. This is the lasting power that international quiet luxury brands have built and preserved for decades, if not centuries. 'I've never been one to rely on gimmicks to promote the brand. The decision to close DANGHAIYEN followed six months of discussion among the leadership team. We always begin by looking inward. We are businesspeople, and our approach is from a management perspective. I don't want to point fingers at external factors. Of course, those elements matter, but more than anything, a brand must have a clear orientation and a robust communication strategy,' added Dang Hai Yen. Running a fashion business professionally and to industry standards is far more complex than simply following your passion. - Dang Hai Yen, Founder of DANGHAIYEN - Above Resort Collection 2025 (photo: DANGHAIYEN) More than a fashion aesthetic, quiet luxury is a philosophy of life, a declaration of inner refinement and value beyond appearance. Yet in a market still dominated by visual impact, quiet luxury cannot survive on beautiful ideals or innovative design alone. It demands a comprehensive ecosystem: from nuanced positioning and strategic communication to a genuine connection with local cultural identity.
Ammon
26 minutes ago
- Ammon
PSG beat Bayern to reach Club World Cup semis
Ammon News - Paris Saint-Germain reached the Club World Cup semi-finals as Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele goals earned the nine-man European champions a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in a gripping battle on Saturday. The French treble winners had Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez sent off in the final stages but managed to oust the German giants in Atlanta. Bundesliga champions Bayern, who lost Jamal Musiala just before half-time with a horror ankle injury, shared an intense and even battle with the Parisians and had two goals ruled out for offside. Bayern had won their last four matches straight against PSG, including a 1-0 Champions League victory last November, before Luis Enrique's side hit their peak. "I think we showed our character with two less players, we showed our personality, and we are strong also like that," PSG's Achraf Hakimi told reporters. "We showed that we want to be continue in this competition and go forward." Players and nearly 67,000 spectators observed a minute of silence in honour of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash on Thursday. It was an emotional moment, especially for a PSG side with five Portuguese players in the squad, including starters Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes. Luis Enrique began with leading Ballon d'Or candidate Dembele on the bench, as he continues his comeback from a quadriceps injury, but Bayern playmaker Musiala was fit to start. It was FIFA's expanded tournament's biggest heavyweight clash thus far and Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said on the eve of the game he would pay to watch a match he described as a "perfect storm", because of the teams' similar high-pressing, attacking styles. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium also produced the perfect conditions for a pulsating game, lit up by supremely talented dribblers on both sides, as well as two elite goalkeepers in Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manuel Neuer. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hit the side netting after a razor-sharp PSG counter and forced Neuer into an excelent save, while Donnarumma saved twice from Olise.
Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Planning to work abroad? The most and least expensive countries for expats in 2025
iStock If short holidays no longer satisfy your urge to explore the world, consider options like requesting an international transfer through your employer or checking if your company offers sabbaticals that can be used for extended travel. For those willing to take a bolder step, leaving your job altogether for a 'micro-retirement' to focus on travel could be an option. To help plan such a move, international health insurer William Russell analysed various living expenses — including transport, utilities, and entertainment — to estimate the cost of living in different global cost of living can vary dramatically from one destination to another and what seems like a dream move could become a budgeting nightmare if you're not prepared. From sky-high rent and restaurant bills to unexpected utility costs, your money might not stretch as far as it did back home. ALSO READ: A dreamy European vacation right now might actually be a tourist's worst nightmare So where are the world's most expensive countries for expats in 2025? Switzerland, Iceland and Norway are the top three most expensive countries for expats. If a transfer abroad is for one of these countries, make sure that your compensation accounts for a potential higher cost-of-living. 1. Switzerland: Expat Expenditure Score: 9.29/10 Switzerland has the highest cost of living, scoring 9.29 out of 10. The central European nation has the highest average price of a gym membership at £65.74/US$87.40 a month, and the most expensive cinema tickets at £18.15/US$24.13 per ticket on average. It also places second for average public transport tickets (£3.08/US$4.10) and restaurant meals (£99.84/US$132.74). ALSO READ: Chaos, flight cancellations & delays: France throws summer travel into disarray 2. Iceland: Expat Expenditure Score: 8.48/10 Iceland takes second place for four of the factors we examined. The Nordic nation has the most expensive public transport at £3.77/US$5.01 and petrol costs at £1.84/US$2.44 per litre. It also has the most costly monthly internet bills (£60.44/US$80.36) and eating out costs, at £103/US$136.95 on average for two people. However, it has some of the cheapest utility bills on the list, at £64.31/US$85.50 a month, on average. ALSO READ: How immigration could muddy the job numbers in US 3. Norway: Expat Expenditure Score: 7.72/10 Norway rounds out the top three. The Scandinavian nation ranks in the top third for most of the factors we looked at. However, it has the third-highest public transport costs, at £3.00/US$3.99 for a one-way ticket. The country also ranks in the top five for the price of a restaurant meal, £71.47/US$95.02, and average monthly internet costs around £44.24/US$58.82. Cheapest countries for expats 1. Mexico: Expat Expenditure Score: 0.67/10 Mexico is the least expensive country in terms of the cost of living, with an overall score of 0.67 out of 10. The North American nation has the cheapest average utility bills and the cheapest gym membership on the list at £46.06/US$61.24 and £25.21/US$33.52 respectively. 2. Lithuania: Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10 Lithuania, in the Baltic region of Europe, is next. The country has the cheapest average internet bill, at £11.64/US$15.47 per month. It also ranks in the top five for public transport costs, at £0.85/US$1.13 for a one-way ticket, giving it an overall score of 2.23 out of 10. 3. Poland: Expat Expenditure Score: 2.23/10 Lithuania's neighbour, Poland, is in joint-second place. The country has the second-cheapest cinema tickets, at £5.77/US$7.67 and monthly internet costs at £12.26/US$16.43, and ranks third for its gym membership prices at £27.71/US$36.84 per month. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Inside TechM CEO's 'baptism by fire' and the blaze he still needs to douse Can this cola maker get back bubble valuation pricked by Ambani? Delhivery survived the Meesho curveball. Can it keep on delivering profits? Why the RBI's stability report must go beyond rituals and routines Are Sebi's MII evaluations driving real change or just more paperwork? From takeovers to a makeover: Are cement stocks ready for re-rating? 8 cement stocks with upside potential from 6 to 42% Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 29% in 1 year For long-term investors with ability to ignore short-term volatility: 6 mid-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 39%
