Thùy Dương’s (12 Detroit – Dewey Tây Hồ Tây) childhood was filled with her mother’s dresses, afternoons watching her grandfather work, and early explorations of colour and form. Growing up in a family with a strong artistic background, Dương gradually realised that art was more than a passing interest. She wanted to pursue it seriously.
Her family had some concerns when she decided to pursue art as a future career. Dương understood that passion alone might not be enough to reassure them. Once she had their support, she began preparing for the university’s talent-based entrance exam alongside her high school graduation exams.
At Dewey, Dương found many opportunities to bring art into real projects. Through interdisciplinary projects, class activities and school events, she developed ideas, designed posters and created a range of creative work. Each time she watched an idea grow from an initial sketch into a finished piece, she learned more about her abilities and the direction she wanted to take.
In Grade 10, Dương took on the role of President of the Drawing Club, working alongside more than 40 members. Leading a community of students who shared her passion for art for the first time, she learned how to organise activities, connect people and use art as a way to inspire others.
Her three years of high school were also a period of turning an early talent into real ability. She spent hundreds of hours practising, studying form, developing her techniques and gradually shaping her own artistic style.
There were times when Dương felt she was not good enough, especially when she saw her peers making progress around her. Balancing her schoolwork with preparation for the talent-based entrance exam also brought its share of pressure. Her teachers at Dewey worked with her to manage her schedule while keeping up with her studies and pursuing her goal. For Dương, however, giving up was never an option.
That persistence led her to become the runner-up in Fashion Design at Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts. Dewey did not choose Dương’s path for her. Instead, it gave her the space to experiment, create, take on leadership and gain a clearer understanding of what she wanted to pursue. The rest came from her own determination and hundreds of hours of dedicated practice.
As a child, Dương loved admiring her mother’s dresses. Today, she is stepping into Fashion Design to learn how to create pieces that carry a style and identity of her own.
