"Grandma's Eye" draws deeply from my grandmother’s teachings and my own cultural journey. Her stories of resilience and kindness taught me to see the world with empathy, reminding me that everyone deserves love and care. Growing up in Hanoi, these values were lived daily, rooted in proverbs like “Anh em bốn bể là nhà” and “Tương thân tương ái,” and reflected in the warmth of community life.
The Cây Đa (banyan tree) becomes the central symbol of the design, representing connection, growth, and shared humanity. Found in courtyards and schoolyards across Vietnam, the banyan is where people gather to tell stories, rest, and bond. Its deep roots and wide-reaching branches reflect the evolving relationships in my life, grounded in family, extended through new friendships, and nurtured across places I’ve called home.
The design features a guiding eye at the tree’s base, a tribute to my grandmother’s vision of compassion, while heart-shaped branches and cascading leaves embody love, memory, and movement. Each detail carries my personal narrative, transforming the dress into a living archive of care and connection
