The CultureMap Interview

Dallas designer Khanh Nguyen on inspiration for Nha Khanh and that one wardrobe must-have

Ever since she launched her Nha Khanh collection, our eyes have been on Dallas designer Khanh Nguyen, whose ready-to-wear, bridal and atelier collections reflect her elegant and modern sensibility. Born to creative Vietnamese parents, Nguyen started sketching designs and constructing dresses for her dolls when she was 5.

After earning her fine arts degree in fashion design at the University of North Texas, Nguyen jetted off to Paris for an internship, where she practiced the haute couture sewing techniques of Nina Ricci, draping methods of Madame Grès and millinery skills of Jean Paul Gaultier. She returned to Dallas to launch her first line in 2010.

Recently Neiman Marcus online picked up a few of Nguyen's exquisite pieces, so we chatted with the designer about her inspiration, daily regimen and a few of her favorite things.

CultureMap: During your internship in Paris, what did you envision for the future of your label?

Khanh Nguyen: Bridal. I was trained intensively in haute couture sewing, from Madame Grès' micro draping techniques to seamless lace sewing. I love to design bridal and evening dresses.

CM: What was the best piece of advice you learned from your mentors in Paris?

KN: To have good and luxurious taste in everything. You cannot buy taste level; it must be developed and built over time. Quality comes first.

CM: Where do you find the most inspiration?

KN: Nature and architecture.

CM: What's your favorite fabric to work with?

KN: Lace.

CM: Do you design your own clothing?

KN: Mostly cocktail and evening dresses.

CM: Who are some of your favorite designers?

KN: Givenchy, Elie Saab, the late Christian Dior and the late Madame Grès.

CM: What's your daily routine like?

KN: Every morning I spend about almost two hours getting my daughter ready for the day and cooking for her. Every day is different for me. I wear many hats at the studio; when I'm not designing, I make decisions and answer questions about sewing techniques and do media interviews and fittings with clients. I try to get off work at 5 pm to spend time with my family and take care of my daughter.

CM: It seems like most creative types have more than one creative outlet. Is there anything else you love to do?

KN: I love interior design. When I'm not working or spending time with my family, I love decorating my home or studio.

CM: What are your favorite restaurants in Dallas?

KN: Toulouse and Tei Tei Robata.

CM: What is one piece of clothing everyone must have in her closet?

KN: A perfect pair of dark skinny jeans.

CM: Your favorite piece in your closet?

KN: My Nha Khanh black Milace dress.

CM: Favorite travel destination?

KN: Paris.

CM: Any plans to open a Nha Khanh store?

KN: Yes, hopefully in the near future.

Khanh Nguyen is the creative director and designer for Nha Khanh.

Photo courtesy of Khanh Nguyen

Khanh Nguyen is the creative director and designer for Nha Khanh.

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Shopping News

Where to shop in Dallas right now: 7 zany new stores to check out

Thrifted Threads

Thrifted Threads chill vibe

With the holidays on the horizon, shopping is on the rise. This November edition of Where to Shop, CultureMap's monthly roundup of new shops, sales, and alternative shopping, has five unique new openings, ranging from fashion to skin care to sports apparel.

The roundup also includes two non-traditional entries, including a new benefits program at an area mall, and a place to get your passport — in case you're planning on shopping abroad.

Here's where to shop in Dallas for November:

Baseballism
Baseball camp that transformed into an off-field baseball clothing brand is now open at Allen Premium Outlets. The store offers baseball-themed clothing, hats, and accessories. Their collection features collaborations with several big league names, including MLB, Babe Ruth, Vin Scully and Field of Dreams. Caps and hoodies are especially popular items, such as the Junior's Silhouette for $36 or the short Sleeve Yankees hoodie for $79.

Firewheel Town Center
Garland shopping center is in the giving spirit with its latest Shop, Dine & Save program. Visitors can shop or dine at select stores, including Buckle, DSW, and Razzoo's, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen, and receive a $25 Simon giftcard when they spend $150 or more. To get the giftcard, receipts have to be shown at the mall management office and include at least one shop and one restaurant from the same day. The special lasts through November 27.

Hill House
Originally a bedding company that launched in 2016, Hill House has extended their collection to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal, and apparel. They opened a location in NorthPark Center at the end of October — their first in Texas and only their fifth store. Hill House is best known for the "Nap Dress," a flowing dress made for day or night wear. There's also a short version of the dress, such as the Scarlett Long Sleeve Mini, a plaid dress for $188. Just in time for season, they've launched holiday pajamas, featuring pajama sets, robes, and children's sets.

Glossier
Skincare, beauty, and fragrance concept just opened a 1,000 square-foot store at NorthPark Center, featuring its trademark whimsical displays that one might mistake for an art supply or paint store. They sell fragrances, scented skin creams, balms, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, eyelash curlers, and other beauty products, a little on the pricey side, but they make the shopping experience fun with an immersive shopping experience. That stuff doesn't come for free. This is their 12 location in the U.S., joining Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Rally House
Sports apparel chain opened a location at Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center in Rockwall, with merchandise — headwear, accessories, collectibles — dedicated to Dallas-area teams including Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and college teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas A&M Aggies. They also offer locally-themed apparel and accessories that celebrate Dallas destinations and landmarks, such as an Uscape Pom Mens Knit Hat with a graphic of the Dallas skyline for $30 or a long sleeve Dallas sweatshirt for $42. This is the 22nd location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Thrifted Threads
Houston-based vintage clothing reseller just made its debut in Deep Ellum at 2646 Main St. #620, next to Vidorra. Thrifted Threads was founded by Laith Awad, who began reselling clothes in 2017, initially as an online store until he opened a location in 2022 in Houston's Montrose District when he was only 18. He opened a second store in College Station in 2023. Deep Ellum is the third. They're known vintage apparel from jerseys to sweatshirts and hats, as well as collections of color-sorted clothes from the 70s to the 2000s. It's more than a store, with arcade games that don't require coins to play, a motorcycle display, and ice cream.

Collin County Passport Office
If you're "shopping" for a passport, a passport office just reopened in the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. The new passport acceptance office will initially be appointment only, with bookings available through the District Clerk's website. Plans are underway to introduce same-day and walkup services in the near future.

openings where to shop