WORKING in fashion is not just about creating beautiful garments for Cannington designer Betty Tran – it’s about helping women find their inner beauty.
With this stirring notion in mind, the 24-year-old Vietnamese-born creative named her new pop-up boutique LAFOI – meaning faith in French – instilling a sense of strength and self-belief in all her customers.
Betty admits she isn’t a fashionista at heart; in fact she never wanted to pursue this as a career.
“It was the spirit of my mum that made me choose this path,” she told the Canning Times.
“My parents own a manufacturing company (for 25 years in Perth and previously Saigon) and my mum is a tailor. From a young age I saw her work very hard – she never gave up, she always kept going – and I said I wouldn’t follow suit, but here I am.
“Mum has that traditional approach to making garments which is very inspiring. She can look at a woman and know what will work for her body shape.”
In 2008 Betty revealed her Betty Sugar collection, focusing on well-made, sophisticated clothing for women. Recently she opened LAFOI by Betty Sugar in Carillon City, with a like-minded team of dedicated staff.
“Being a good designer involves defining who your target woman is – what is her lifestyle and characteristics, and where is she going – and from there you incorporate those elements into your garments,” Betty said.
“The Australian woman is laid-back and there’s exoticness there too. She likes relaxed and easy-to-wear pieces but most of all she wants classic investment items that she can wear five years from now.
“Generally, she has a busy lifestyle and she is looking for versatility; pieces that can take her from work and into the night.”
As well as the Betty Sugar clothing line, the boutique offers Savoir Fair cosmetic application and Belle Bijoux accessories. It’s also the first of its kind to offer a customised in-house altering system.
Asked what the latest fashion trends were Betty replied: “Bright bold block colours are all the rage. Trends are a good reference to know what’s around but it’s not my approach in design.
“I believe it’s good to be unique. Also, pieces need to be timeless – women who understand fashion are always looking for pieces that last.”