KVT – Oh Those Very Cool Spaniards!

KVT visits a Chula installation

Anyone who may have read my scribblings (if that word isn’t obsolete in this hectic digital era) in Grapevine over the past 8 years know that I have a bit of an obsession with CHULA.

I consider that Chula’s Diego is one of most exciting artists and designers in Vietnam, supported by Chula’s very vivacious Laura, and just about everyone who visits the original Chula on the shores of West Lake will likely agree with my prognosis – as does Trip Advisor which rates Chula way up very near the top of attractions to visit during a stay in Hanoi

Chula has started to become a mini empire as it opens branches in those places in Vietnam where beautifully designed, flamboyant and well stitched fashion is appreciated

Last year it successfully stitched into Hoi An and this year embroidered into Saigon… next year – the world?

Mind you, after a lot of involvement in overseas fashion events, Chula is already well respected in lots of the best places where the ‘rag trade’ struts down catwalks.

In Vietnam the name Chula is a household name to just about all savvy, fashionable Vietnamese – due to frequent exposure on various national TV channels.

If you want an eye popper – a mini explosion – to the vibrancy that becomes Chula then all you have to do is walk up the stairs at 24 Ly Quoc Su, right in the swirling heart of the city

Diego and Laura’s new showroom is an energetic and lively art installation. Flamboyant, optimistic and full of what Chula very accurately describes as wearable art

All of the art and design work is Diego’s, except the totally stunning, 4 panel lacquer work by Phi Phi Oanh

I am blown away with Diego’s use of woven Chieu mats on floors and walls… and I’m definitely in the market for one of Diego’s glass and conical hat tables – and I think that his light shades are pretty good too.

If the Spanish influence is your cup of tea, or glass of sangria, then for another fill of Spanish brilliance, step next door into Art Vietnam and see the beautiful dreamtime sculptures of Jorge Rivera.