Vi Hoang and the American Dream

The American Dream is something many Vietnamese-Americans are familiar with. By coming to America, our parents left their culture and lives to start a new one with more opportunities for themselves and for their children. The American Dream seems harder and harder to grasp nowadays, but when someone has nothing and turns their hopes, dreams, and talents into a successful career or business, I can’t help but be inspired and amazed. Often times, the American Dream seems unfeasible and impossible, but the few like Vi Hoang, a Vietnamese American designer, continues to keep my hopes running high.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Vi Hoang was unsure of her future. At the University of Houston, she studied art. Although uncertain as to what she would do with her talents and ideas, she knew she would go far. She dabbled in interior design and graphic design but remained apprehensive about what steps to take towards her future. She entered a design contest sponsored by Glamour Magazine and Corelle Dinnerware. The rules were to submit a design sketch inspired based on Corelle’s collection. Only finding out about this competition a few days before it’s end, she quickly submitted her design. Months passed with no news and soon the contest was forgotten. But out of nowhere, she received a phone call that would change her life.

Glamour Magazine chose her as the winner, telling her that she had won a weeklong all expenses paid trip to New York to intern for a designer.

A year later, her dreams in fashion were set. After applying to both Parsons Design School and Fashion Institute of Technology, she was accepted into both and decided to attend Fashion Institute of Technology where she could learn more about the technical aspects of design and the human form.

After a semester of school, and at the urging of her husband, Hoang started her own line, Dolly Pearl. Her goal was to create a season-less and timeless look that was high in quality and ultra feminine. The company has seen success and gained a plethora of fans, but it is still struggling to expand into a fashion empire.

Now, Daily Candy has announced Dolly Pearl as a finalist in their Chase sponsored “Start Small, Go Big” contest. This is the perfect opportunity to raise funding and gain exposure nationwide. Vi Hoang is one of twelve finalists chosen to win the grand prize of $10,000 to launch her line.

Seeing her uncertain start in graphic design and interior design years ago and now glimpsing the start of Dolly Pearl, she is a Vietnamese American rising star in the fashion industry. She shows all in our community how hard work and big dreams can lead to success and the American Dream. I am truly motivated by Vi Hoang’s uncertain leap into fashion, something I can relate to as well in my interests.

Please  show your support of Vi Hoang’s Dolly Pearl by voting here!