The fashion industry is one of the most influential in the world today, especially in developed countries.
The more famous a designer is, the more expensive their work is. That’s why a lot of people working in the industry strive to find innovative ways to attract the attention of consumers.
The Cambodian fashion industry remains small, but it is growing. The past few years have seen an explosion of small boutique labels in the Kingdom.
Fashion shows have become more commonplace, lighting up venues across Phnom Penh, and appearing – albeit less frequently – in provinces across the nation.
Each fashion designer seeks to make a name for themselves, and earn an invitation to the most glamorous runway shows.
Cambodian-Hong Kong woman Natacha Van has achieved this. A graduate of the London College of Fashion, she spent over 10 years learning about the fashion design industry in London, England.
She debuted her beautifully crafted ready-to-wear collection in 2010, and has never looked back.
Her collections are sold around the world, and she has shown at many of the world’s most exclusive fashion weeks. Natacha’s work has appeared in New York 2019, London 2019 and 2017, Paris 2019, 2018 and 2017 and Milan in 2020.
Her focus is on couture quality craftsmanship. She selects the finest materials which are handcrafted in London and Hong Kong for her designs, which are then hand-assembled by master tailors in Cambodia.
In 2017, she was appointed as a “cultural ambassador”, by Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, and represented Cambodia at the London and Paris fashion weeks.
“Speaking as a member of the fashion design industry, I believe that we are responsible for sending a message to the next generation by using our collection to educate them,” Natacha said.
“I believe that a world of fashion is a very broad forum for learning about the present state of society,” she added.
She believes her designs are capital for the next generation to learn from and has faith that future generations of designers will carry her work forward.
“Working in this industry is not very easy, however thanks to the love I have for this career, I found ways to attain my goals,” she said.
Recently, she was selected as one of 2022’s “exceptional people” on a local television programme put together by a local beverage company.
