Nary Manivong
What is your full name?
Nary Manivong.
What is your first name?
Nary.
Where were you born?
Cleveland, Ohio.
Where do you currently reside and work?
Brooklyn, New York.
What is your educational background?
I am self-taught.
What are other details of experiences, work or otherwise, that have led you to your current work?
My path into fashion has been shaped through hands-on experience, curiosity and persistence. Working for a textile company gave me a strong understanding of fabrics and materials, while internships in my earlier days exposed me to the creative and production side of the industry. Outside of formal roles, I have spent years independently developing collections, refining my design perspective, and building my brand. My Lao heritage, travels to Laos and interest in interiors and storytelling continue to strongly influence my work and creative direction.
How would you describe your practice/business?
My work blends fashion, interiors and storytelling through a modern luxury lens rooted in my Lao heritage. As a self-taught designer, I focus on creating pieces and spaces that feel refined, personal and culturally connected. Through my brand, I explore the relationship between craftsmanship, textiles and identity while balancing contemporary design with subtle references to Southeast Asian influence. My practice is driven by storytelling, emotional connection and creating experiences that feel both elevated and authentic.
What are the highlight projects in your career so far?
One of the biggest highlights of my career was being featured on the cover of Women's Wear Daily with my previous brand, NAHM. It was a meaningful moment because it not only recognized the brand’s success, but also reflected my personal journey as a self-taught designer navigating the fashion industry.Another highlight has been building my own creative practice across both fashion and interiors, allowing me to develop a point of view that blends modern luxury with my Lao heritage and storytelling.
What are you currently working on?
Since relaunching my brand, NARY MANIVONG, I have taken a slower and more intentional approach to building the business and shaping its narrative. Earlier in my career, I experienced how quickly fashion can move, so this chapter has been focused on creating with more clarity, purpose and long-term vision. I have been concentrating on refining the brand identity, strengthening the creative direction and allowing the work to evolve more organically.I shot my latest collection in Laos. As a New York–based Lao-American designer, it felt groundbreaking and deeply personal to bring the collection back to a place that has been such an important part of my identity and inspiration. The collection incorporated handwoven textiles from Laos, which added another layer of authenticity and cultural connection to the work. Being able to create and photograph the collection myself there felt like a full-circle moment, blending fashion, heritage and storytelling in a way that was both personal and creatively fulfilling.I am currently developing a collection that continues to explore modern luxury through the lens of my Lao heritage, personal storytelling and textile-driven design. I have also been expanding further into interiors and creative consulting by exploringfew potential interior projects that align with my aesthetic and interest in creating immersive, story-driven spaces. My approach to interiors is very connected to fashion, thinking about texture, atmosphere, materiality, and how people emotionally connect to a space.
Instagram: @narymanivong
Website: www.narymanivong.com