Today we’d like to introduce you to Tuong Do.
Tuong, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
About a year ago, I moved to San Diego for a brief period to study computer science and earned my certificate in 7 months. During that time, I realized it was something I could do but not enjoy. I decided to always pursue my dream of creating Anime fashion. One of the main goals was to create staple pieces that I would proudly wear.
I have been to a lot of conventions and expos, but not many with apparel merchandise that I liked, so I decided to make my own. One of the main goals was to create designs even non-fans could appreciate, while at the same time focusing on fabrics, styles, and fit, and less on the graphics as most anime designs tend to do.
I started everything with zero experience, learning from talented illustrators and fashion designers. I run a small store and Instagram page, with season one doing amazing selling out 3 of 5 styles, and am stoked for season 2, which released on Sunday, September 17th!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like all journeys, there are ups and downs. I work with manufacturers overseas and have lost quite valuable time and money over bad bulk orders, which taught me a valuable lesson to be more cautious.
I learned the timeframes of clothing and sample productions. What can be done and what can’t, when and when not to announce a release? Understanding if a design is going to sell out or not (it’s a very instinctive intuition you’ll develop, kind of hard to explain).
Finding your targeted audience, all that, and much more that would be too much to write down.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create Anime Apparel that stems from your usual designs. It’s mostly rectangle embroidery or squared prints on a shirt, and I didn’t like that, it lacked creativity.
My goal was to create pieces you can wear for broader occasions rather than taking them to show your high school friends or the anime convention. I have many designs not yet revealed that are sure to blow away my current fans and supporters.
My early designs were based on zero experience, and some of these unrevealed pieces show the lessons that I have learned along the way, with new techniques, applications, and fits. Although season 3 is not till October/November I am very stoked, as this is the season where my designs have shown their labor.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Mostly introverted, a big gamer (wish I had time for it nowadays), a sneaker-head, and a huge fan of art, and most importantly – fashion and anime.
I used to cook a lot until I started the business. Now I have less time, but nothing is more amazing to me now than seeing a successful sample.
Pricing:
- Luxury Tees: $50
- Flannels: $75
- Future Hoodies: $95
- Corduroy: $75
- Jackets: $100 – 120
Contact Info:
- Website: dinq.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delinquents.truly/
Image Credits
Mallory Harris
