Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Thao-Ly Ngo. I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, moved to the US when I was 13, and have been living in New York City for the past 5 years.
My background is in tech, but outside of work, I’ve always been interested in fashion, interior design and architecture. I’m always on the internet researching and building my personal mood board.
I believe that having a strong sense of your aesthetic—whether through the clothes you wear, the objects you surround yourself with, or the art you consume—will greatly help you towards self-fulfillment. I’m also very passionate about exploring different cultures through traveling. For the past three years, I’ve made it a goal to visit at least one new country every year.
<Recent updates>
I’ve actually been feeling very inspired as of late. I’m working towards a few personal projects in the upcoming months so that’s pretty exiting.
<About the travel>
As a country, Iceland has left such a deep impression on me. I love how much of its natural landscape remains untouched. We circled the Ring Road during one of the worst possible months, facing various weather conditions. However, the payoff was absolutely breathtaking every time we stopped at a different landmark. Being in nature also reminds me of how insignificant and trivial my day-to-day problems can be.
I’ve learned to allow much more breathing room in my itinerary. Plans often don’t go exactly as expected, and it’s important not to beat yourself over completing every item on your list.
<About her childhood favorites>
I remember always insisting on buying clothes in either black or neutrals whenever I was out shopping with my parents around the age of 8 or 9 (when I was capable of choosing what I wanted to wear). I also loved putting together outfits, whether from my own closet or borrowing from my mom’s.
As a teenager, I fell in love with the world of K-pop and the eccentric fashion seen on stage. I guess that part of my life formed the need for a bit of theatricality in my own personal style. Those things have stuck ever since..
<About the Color Black>
There is already a large community of people who enjoy wearing black, and they might have given some sort of answers similar to mine. Black is an easy statement, and it’s also simply because I feel good in black or darker colors.
Having a very limited color palette also simplifies my decision-making process when purchasing new clothes, instead I will pay attention to a garment’s design, materials, and silhouette. Functionality is also very important to me; I want all of my clothes to be versatile enough to be worn year-round, and black items usually pair well with each other. However, I might expand my wardrobe soon as I’m experimenting with neutrals.
<About her favorite fashion>
Most worn as of recent are probably Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester. I tend to separate my wardrobe into two categories: everyday wear and pieces meant for portraying a certain persona. These two brands strike the perfect balance between practicality and poetic storytelling.
As for my ultimate fashion brand, I haven’t quite found it yet. Fashion is a continuous journey of learning and discovery for me. I also tend to get bored easily, so the idea of committing to one single brand can feel a bit daunting. That being said, I deeply admire designers with such distinctive craftsmanship that their work stands out unmistakably in a crowd. A few other brands that are in my radar as of late are Marc Le Bihan, M.A+, Elena Dawson, and Cherevichkiotvichki.
<About Recent purchases>
I recently acquired a secondhand Cherevichkiotvichki leather lock bag and a pair of Uma Wang ballerina pumps in dark olive. I’ve been searching for them for quite some time, so this is my attempt at justifying the purchase.
