Fresh Faces: Điền Huyền Linh

Stylist from Ho Chi Minh on ‘Tree, Earth, Life’ and ELLE Vietnam’s impact on her career
By Danisha Liang

FAM FRESH FACES is a series featuring young Southeast Asian fashion practitioners and speaks with them about how they embarked on their careers and what propels them as creatives.

Điền Huyền Linh.

Điền Huyền Linh is a freelance fashion stylist who goes by Điền or by her Instagram alias Dien70s. She is based in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and has been working for ELLE Vietnam as a stylist and fashion reporter since 2018. 

Could you talk about your background? And at what point did you decide to pursue a career in fashion?

I like fashion, but did not consider pursuing it professionally. It started when I was an intern at ELLE Magazine in the marketing department and my colleagues asked me if I was interested in a styling position. As a young person, I wanted to try everything so I took the chance, and it has been my job ever since.

How have you maintained your practice? What are the important factors that have kept you going?

I am always looking for new projects, concepts or teams to learn new things from. I think learning is the key to practising fashion. Through different fashion projects like editorial shoots for fashion magazines, music videos for singers or film shoots, I discover distinctive styles based on stories or messages that each project wants to convey. That is what keeps the job interesting and worthwhile for me. 

“I think learning is the key to practising fashion. Through different fashion projects like editorial shoots for fashion magazines, music videos for singers or film shoots, I discover distinctive styles based on stories or messages that each project wants to convey. That is what keeps the job interesting and worthwhile for me.”

‘Tree, Earth, Life’, conceptualised and shot by Kyanh Tran, styled by Dien70s, hair and make-up by Viet Cuong Hoang as assisted by Phuong Diem Tran, nails by Quinada, production design by Mee Hoang, lighting by Tan Phat Dang. Image courtesy of Điền Huyền Linh.

You recently posted onto your Instagram page photographs from the ‘Tree, Earth, Life’ project, which was conceptualised by Kyanh Tran. Could you talk about the process of styling for that project? 

The project ‘Tree, Earth, Life’ was planned during the second Covid-19 outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City, so the need to create something fresh and meaningful was major for us.

‘Tree, Earth, Life’, conceptualised and shot by Kyanh Tran, styled by Dien70s, hair and make-up by Viet Cuong Hoang as assisted by Phuong Diem Tran, nails by Quinada, production design by Mee Hoang, lighting by Tan Phat Dang. Image courtesy of Điền Huyền Linh.

Being stuck in the house and distant from nature, we tried to create a utopia from natural elements like earth and trees that create life.

‘Tree, Earth, Life’, conceptualised and shot by Kyanh Tran, styled by Dien70s, hair and make-up by Viet Cuong Hoang as assisted by Phuong Diem Tran, nails by Quinada, production design by Mee Hoang, lighting by Tan Phat Dang. Image courtesy of Điền Huyền Linh.

The team behind the project discussed the main factors such as inspirations, colours, settings and ideas. Personally, based on Kyanh’s creative ideas, I then picked out the colours, styling elements, make-up and hairstyles that reflected my thoughts on each set-up. Nail artist Quinada and make-up artist Viet Cuong Hoang executed their visions on the story.

I respect and am thankful for photographer Kyanh Tran as well as the whole crew for putting in the effort for this project during this difficult time.

‘Tree, Earth, Life’, conceptualised and shot by Kyanh Tran, styled by Dien70s, hair and make-up by Viet Cuong Hoang as assisted by Phuong Diem Tran, nails by Quinada, production design by Mee Hoang, lighting by Tan Phat Dang. Image courtesy of Điền Huyền Linh.

Do you think your own personality is reflected in your styling projects? How so?

Due to the individuality and personal nature of styling, my personality and references are surely reflected in the outcome of the styling project. However, I try to protect and maintain the character’s personal style as well as the story’s message, as those are the main points of visual storytelling. Each fashion shoot or project has a goal to reach. Sometimes it communicates with the general public, such as shoots for Mix & Match editorial content or content driven by Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). Others may deliver more specific storylines, through editorial photo shoots, music video and film shoots for example. In order for the main character or message to stand out, the styling should flow conceptually through the fashion.

As a freelance stylist, how do you build your client base? 

Throughout my three years working at ELLE Magazine, I have gained professional connections with photographers, make-up artists, producers and other creatives. These colleagues then introduce me to promising clients. 

I also developed an online presence through my Instagram profile and Facebook, from which new brands and individuals can recognise my style and connect with me for work.

‘Tree, Earth, Life’, conceptualised and shot by Kyanh Tran, styled by Dien70s, hair and make-up by Viet Cuong Hoang as assisted by Phuong Diem Tran, nails by Quinada, production design by Mee Hoang, lighting by Tan Phat Dang. Image courtesy of Điền Huyền Linh.

How do you think budding fashion stylists can kickstart their styling journey?

Young stylists can practise through internships at fashion magazines, production houses or by assisting professional stylists during shoots. Personal projects are also important for young stylists to practise and learn about styling different looks and body shapes.

Who has been an important influence in the fashion industry for you? And why?

Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano are my favourite fashion designers. They constantly embrace new experiences, differences and challenges. 

What are your hopes for your local fashion scene, and in Southeast Asia as well? 

I hope that especially during the Covid-19 outbreak, the fashion industry in Vietnam as well as in Southeast Asia will continue to feature Asian culture and history. Because in difficult times, coming back to our roots and history will not only help us define who we are but also distinguish us. For example, I find it inspiring and exciting to look at the works of Chinese photographer Leslie Zhang, who has featured communism in fashion.