Dior Lady Art: Duy Anh Nhan Duc and the garden on the bag
Born in Ho Chi Minh City and now based in Paris, Duy Anh Nhan Duc transforms nature into a world of his own making. His works, both delicate and evocative, are composed of familiar plants such as dandelions, oat roots, cogon grass, wheat, and clover. For Dior Lady Art, he once again channels his deep affinity for flora, particularly wild plants, which define his artistic language. The result is a striking contrast between nature’s raw purity and the refined elegance of the Lady Dior.
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He transforms nature into his own creative universe.
If you had to describe your artistic universe in three words, what would they be?
Plant world or nature – Collection – Wild.
When and how did you decide to become an artist?
From a very young age. My childhood was spent in the trees—I loved being outdoors, wandering through the woods, building treehouses, playing with branches and seeds, and gathering nature’s treasures. That space of joy naturally evolved into my career.
What are the most representative works in your creative universe?
My work revolves around the plants we encounter every day, in both urban and rural landscapes—often those dismissed as weeds. Clover is central, but dandelions are particularly special to me. They were the starting point of my journey and have remained a constant presence. I would say my most representative works are the installations and sculptures crafted from dandelions.
What are the key values you wish to convey?
I work exclusively with wild plants, gathered seasonally and mostly from the area surrounding my workshop. Through my art, I seek to celebrate the plant world around us—its innate beauty, fluidity, and, at times, fragility, but also its remarkable adaptability and resilience.
Design for the Dior Lady Art project.
What does the House of Dior represent to you?
Dior embodies the pinnacle of savoir-faire, and through this collaboration, I had the privilege of experiencing that excellence firsthand.
How did the partnership come about?
It was a liberating process—my design was realised exactly as I had envisioned it. As with all my projects, I began with the harvest season, working with real plants. The technique involved pressing a tree imprint onto the ground, overlaying it with a metal mesh, and then casting it in plaster. Dior’s artisans faithfully captured the tree’s movement using a leather embossing process, turning the material into a canvas for my vision. Gold leaf was then applied, accentuating the embroidery details.
How did you interpret this project? What does this Lady Dior mean to you? What was your inspiration?
I wanted the bag to embody the essence of my work—the act of gathering wild plants. Rather than altering its structure, I focused on reimagining the plant’s form, ensuring it reflected the spirit of my collection. The bag became a vessel for nature, highlighting the diversity of species found in urban wastelands.
That is why a metal mesh features prominently, symbolising a fence that opens to reveal a secret garden. The mesh also echoes the iconic Lady Dior cannage motif. Hidden within each bag are real seeds—maple, clover, buttercup, and a delicate cluster of dandelion silk—gilded with gold leaf, like a talisman tucked away inside. A secret waiting to be discovered.
From the outset, the cannage pattern was my inspiration. I wanted to reimagine it as a metal mesh—a fence that opens to welcome you into this garden.
Duy Anh Nhan Duc collaborated with Dior to create a magnificent yet poetic work inspired by wild plants.
What savoir-faire techniques did you highlight? What materials did you use?
I have always wanted to work with embroidery, and the craftsmanship at Dior surpassed my expectations. I wanted the embroidery to embody the world of plants—delicate, vibrant, and intricate—while maintaining a natural feel. That is why I incorporated plant-based fibres such as linen, evoking the organic essence of nature.
Gold leaf plating also plays a crucial role, as it is a technique I frequently use. Here, it has been applied to the metal mesh. The pendants, textured and organic in appearance, are adorned with seeds that hold personal significance—maple, clover, and buttercup—plants I often played with as a child. These seeds have also been recreated in metal, reminiscent of my electroplating work.
From the outset, I expressed a strong desire to work with vegetable leather, and ultimately, the entire bag was crafted from apple leather.
What makes this bag unique to you? What creative detail moved you the most?
I wanted this bag to be a true treasure. Inside, there is a small pouch containing real dandelion silk, which I have gilded. Dandelion silk holds deep significance in my work, as it has been with me since the very beginning. Each bag contains a unique silk piece, serving as a talisman—something to hold onto when making a wish.
What is your relationship with fashion? Do you see an item or accessory as a form of expression?
My approach to fashion is quite practical. I gravitate towards timeless pieces—classic silhouettes, subtle colour, and garments that fit seamlessly into everyday life.
What does a project such as Dior Lady Art mean to you? Is it a celebration of art in all its forms? A way to transcend boundaries?
From a human perspective, this project was extraordinary. I had the privilege of working with exceptionally skilled professionals, each contributing their expertise to bring this creation to life. Everyone involved formed part of a creative chain, linked by a shared vision. Each bag tells a different story, conveying an artistic language that captures a moment in time.
Artist Duy Anh Nhan Duc with the ‘garden’ on the bag.
About Duy Anh Nhan Duc
Born in Ho Chi Minh City and now based in Paris, artist Duy Anh Nhan Duc transforms nature into his own artistic universe. His works, both delicate and poetic, are crafted from plants commonly found in daily life—dandelions, oat roots, clematis, wheat, and clover. His art becomes a conversation with the cycles of life, shaped by fleeting moments of natural beauty. In Dior Lady Art, he once again channels his deep passion for working with wild plants, a defining element of his creative expression.
About Lady Art#9
A timeless emblem of the House of Dior, the Lady Dior bag embodies both heritage and innovation. Since 2016, the Maison has invited artists from around the world to reinterpret this icon as part of the Dior Lady Art project. Now in its ninth edition, the project continues with a distinguished line-up of artists, including Sara Flores, Jeffrey Gibson, Woo Kukwon, Danielle McKinney, Duy Anh Nhan Duc, Hayal Pozanti, Faith Ringgold, Vaughn Spann, Anna Weyant, Liang Yuanwei, and Huang Yuxing. Each artist has infused the Lady Dior with their unique vision, enriching its legacy with new artistic dimensions—an ever-evolving challenge and tribute to creativity.
This article was adapted from the original print publication in Tatler Vietnam, November 2024 issue.
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