Diego Cortizas and Laura Fontan traveled to Hanoi 20 years ago at the invitation of a friend, and that trip would permanently alter their lives. They fell in love with local textiles after becoming fully immersed in Vietnamese culture as ardent tourists and art enthusiasts. They were able to see the city's rich cultural heritage and emerging creative potential through the exquisite weavers. Touched, the youthful
They were able to see the city's rich cultural heritage and emerging creative potential through the exquisite weavers. The young Spanish couple, who were instantly captivated, decided to relocate to Hanoi and established Chula as their first atelier-boutique. Diego and Laura's brainchild is currently commemorating 20 years of exquisite creations and creative designs, all of which have been made with an unwavering dedication to the sustainability of the environment, society, and the arts.
Chula was chosen for a number of reasons: the word means "something unique and cool" in Spanish, sounds like a stylized local name in Vietnamese, and is easily pronounced across international languages. This concept forms the basis of their designs, which are always vibrant and distinctive, honoring Vietnamese culture while also exuding a distinct sense of cosmopolitanism. Chula's designs are said to be instantly recognizable, which may be partially attributed to their daring color selections (never beige or pastel). Primary colors are most frequently used, and when combined with jewel tones and neon, these striking hues create a gown that is too eye-catching to ignore. The other component is undoubtedly