Chula Workshop

Chula Fashion operates a workshop and showroom at 32 Tran Ngoc Dien in Thảo Điền (Thao Dien), District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in custom ao dai production and contemporary interpretations of Vietnam's traditional dress. Founded by Diego Cortizas, a Spanish architect-turned-designer who has lived in Vietnam since 2004, Chula draws from more than thirteen years of ao dai design experience. The atelier emphasizes preservation of artisanal techniques by incorporating textiles and weaving traditions from Vietnamese ethnic minority groups (Mông, Thái, Cơ Tu peoples). Rather than generic modernization, Cortizas approaches ao dai as a historical garment evolving through contemporary design—using materials rarely seen in traditional contexts to create patterns while maintaining structural integrity. The workshop produces custom orders alongside ready-to-wear pieces, with construction emphasizing clean lines and languid draping that prioritizes ease of movement. The studio operates from a clearly signed entrance (shared with Snap Cafe) and represents a philosophical shift toward handmade, slow-fashion approaches in Vietnamese design. The practice directly engages with ethnic minority communities to keep traditional weaving techniques economically viable while adapting them to fashion contexts.