(VOVWORLD) - For the past 20 years, Spanish architect-turned-fashion designer Diego Del Valle Cortizas, the founder of a fashion house called Chula, has been loved by Vietnamese people for his designs imbued with Vietnamese character. He passed away recently after a stroke, which shocked and saddened his family and friends, as well as a number of Vietnamese fashionistas. To pay tribute to this great friend of the Vietnamese people, we’ll look at how this Spanish fashion designer developed a love for Vietnam and translated that love into his designs.
 Vietnamese ao dai designed by Diego Chula. (Photo: Chula) |
During a trip to Vietnam in 2003, Diego was immediately fascinated by the local culture, especially the fabrics of the highlanders. A year later, he and his wife moved to Vietnam and founded the Chula fashion house. Since then, he has been known as Diego Chula.
Chula's designs are easily recognized for their architectural features and unique color blends. Each piece reflects traditional Vietnamese values and delivers a message of optimism, love of peace, and sharing. Diego was passionate about using silk and brocade materials for the traditional Vietnamese long dress (Ao dai) and Western dresses, as well as other types of clothing.
Chula's collections were regularly featured at Vietnam Fashion Week since 2010. Diego became the foreign designer with the most shows at this annual event. Coco, Diego Chula’s assistant, said that Diego was a workaholic who never stopped being creative and generating new ideas.
"There were times when he suddenly came up with a new idea on the road. He would stop driving and start designing immediately. Sometimes a new design was inspired by a beautiful natural scene that he happened to see," she said.
Coco added that Diego spent a lot of time learning about Vietnam’s culture. He had such a great love for and understanding of Vietnam that anything related to Vietnam could be a source of energy and inspiration for his designs, she said.
 Diego and his wife Laura Fontan. (Photo: Diego Cortizas) |
Diego Chula once shared his dream of bringing Chula to other parts of the world as a "Made in Vietnam" brand. His love for Vietnam can be seen in the smallest details of each piece: a small window, a birdcage, or autumn leaves.
Vietnamese features are present in every single piece of Diego's creations: his architecture and fashion designs, his songs, poems, and even his paintings. In his song “Book me a ride”, Diego talks about some of the highlights of Hanoi – the Red River, sidewalk bun cha (grilled pork served with rice noodle), lemon tea, and scooter taxis. It seems that all the elements of Vietnamese life are celebrated and preserved by Diego in his creations.
Helping Diego create his unique fashion items were a Vietnamese staff that accompanied him from the beginning, 75% of them disabled, mostly deaf and mute. Diego considered them part of his family and gave them stable employment. He said it was an honor to work with people with disabilities and he believed everyone has a potential and he was here to spread love.
 Diego Chula portraited by his friends. (Photo: Le Phuong/VOV) |
Vu Thi Thu Thuy, who worked at Chula from day one, said that Diego was kind, friendly and always encouraged other people to be positive and develop their abilities.
"He inspired us to try new things and feel free to express ourselves for which I’m very grateful. He was a great leader and a passionate inspirer who motivated us to do our job the best we could," she said.
Diego Chula participated in many community activities in Hanoi, such as this year’s Phuc Tan art project on the bank of the Red River with his mural paintings, or decorating Long Bien market with lampshades made from bamboo chicken cages.
Diego passed away leaving many projects unfinished, including a brocade collection scheduled to release on December 30. His legacy to Vietnamese fashion will continue and Diego Chula will be long remembered as a Spanish designer with a great love for Vietnam.