By Annisa Keith, Great Falls Tribune
Doanh Pham creates a world full of patent leather, vibrant stitching and a hint of hounds tooth. As the designer and owner of Dwanh, a fashion show company, Pham brings international flavors into her designs.
Several shoes from Dwanh, a fashion show company owned and started by Doanh Pham, are available at Sole.Mate in Great Falls. (Photo: Tribune photo/Jo Dee Black )
“I have studied fashion in Germany, Morocco, Italy and London,” said Pham, who is originally from Vietnam. “I want to design that missing piece in a woman’s closet.”
Her nontraditional perspectives and philosophies add an urban twist to her pieces.
“It clicked in me to do something about how much I love fashion.” Pham said. She then began taking her ideas to pen and paper.
Inspiration for her designs span from urban cityscapes to literature.
“We are surrounded by beautiful things everywhere,” Pham said.
She has designed various styles of shoes for more than 3 years. She has cultivated her brand full time for a little over a year. She says developing and marketing a line of shoes is a long line of baby steps. Launching her business from the ground up has not been an easy feat for Pham but she says it is her love for fashion that keeps her inspired.
“There are days where you have no time to sleep, but this is my dream, it’s worth it.” said Pham, who was stationed in Great Falls with the U.S. Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Originally inspired by her grandmother, who was a seamstress, Pham learned how to create from an early age.
“I made my first pair of shorts when I was 7,” Pham said, “I remember going over to my grandmother’s house and using the sewing machine.”
Pham earned her master’s degree in business from the University of Phoenix so she could market her designs.
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