We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linh Nguyen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linh below.

Linh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our ambitious mission is to become the pioneer Vietnamese Jewelry brand that showcases Vietnamese Arts and Cultures by presenting one of a kind collections of silver design. We aim to captivate a global audience through a modern interpretation of Heritage meets Contemporary.

Linh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

BẠC /ba:k/ means Silver in Vietnamese.

We are a small, WOC, family-owned business co-founded by my mother and I. BẠC offer a well-curated and one of a kind fine silver wearable arts. The collection is a contemporary take on Heritage Jewelry where Cultural values fuse with timeless design. BẠC is an ode to our home country – Vietnam; we take pride in Authenticity, Creativity & Craftsmanship.

The main key that sets us apart from other jewelry brand is the unique incorporation of Vietnamese Arts, textures, patterns and symbols to the design. The world knows Vietnam through mostly books, travels or foods; we think this is the perfect time with the perfect “vehicle” (BẠC’s unique jewelry) to share our rich and exquisite cultures to international audiences. Vietnamese Art is no stranger to me – I considered myself one of the lucky ones to have such great guiding figures in my artistic journey. My grandmother, Madame Xuan Phuong, now 94 years young, is one of the first female Vietnamese Art Curator who has successfully introduced Vietnamese Painters/ Arts internationally. She has made a great impact with Lotus Gallery (started from the early 90s) and continues to be an inspirational public figures, book author/writer to younger generations. My mother (and BẠC co-founder), is a talented art curator/ designer/painter herself, specializing in tearing paper techniques.

Another key about us is we believe Jewelry means more than just a piece of accessories. Jewelry should evoke memories, resonate with emotions, fill with personal stories, connect to the Past and be able to pass down through generations. Started from a family tradition, my mother as a designer/painter herself have been designed and re-purposed custom silver jewelry for every family members. This brings in a very unique way to know about silver jewelry to me personally and I would like to pass this experience through BẠC. The collection of BẠC are designed to be Future Heirlooms, rooted in its emotional, cultural, and symbolic significance. We value the sentimental journey that a piece of jewelry can create with the wearers.

All of our jewelry are made in pure/sterling silver; handcrafted in Vietnam using traditional Vietnamese Silversmithing techniques by the local Artisans. This is another feature that you can only find at BẠC. Vietnamese Silversmithing was a quintessential art form of Vietnam. The heritage craft was originated in Northern Vietnam in the 18th century and had become significantly important to Vietnamese Culture. Vietnamese Silversmiths were well-respected and valued, they served the Royals and Elites. Multiple Silversmith Heritage Villages were formed to accommodate the demands. Unfortunately over time, this craft has faded away as we become more dependent on technology. There are only 2 – 3 Heritage Villages in the North that are still preserving this craft. At BẠC, we are proud to work with the local silver masters who are only using the traditional carving techniques. Each piece are 100% handmade with the finest. The craft is labor intensive, a more “simple” piece takes approx. minimum of two full days working.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When speaking about resilience, I think about my grandmother – Madame Xuan Phuong (whom I briefly mentioned above). During one of the interviews, when was asked of why she chose to do what she does, promoting Vietnamese Art and Vietnamese Painters, she answered ( and I remember her answer ever since): “When people think about Vietnam, they remember the Vietnam War, full of grieves and sadness. But we (Vietnam) is not about just that – we are a beautiful country with unique and rich cultures, so this is how I got into Vietnamese Art as perfect tool to introduce international friends to know about my country”. And it was a rough journey. I still remember vividly many layouts of Lotus Gallery – one of the first Art Gallery showcasing local art and local artists. You need to know this was way back to the late 1990s, the internet and MTV (I was obsessed with MTV) JUST came into Vietnam. Western culture was so much favored during this time period that somehow drifted us away from our origins. Additionally, our generation were taught to look at creativity differently – they are not real, they would not make money. It is always a goal to become a doctor, an engineer or a lawyer. Appreciating paintings or art in general was a strange hobby for people to even consider learning about it. But it does not stop my grandmother; she has already made up her mind. As a former war documentary director, she has utilized her resources and networks as a stepping stone for the Curation career. One of my very first job was being her translator at a mini showcase in Manila, Philippines (when I was in 7th grade). My grandmother is fluently in French and understands well English but she wanted to give me the experience to be in her world.
More than 30 years with lots of ups and downs, she is one of the few Vietnamese women who received the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur from the French Government, honoring her exceptional journey & contribution in Vietnamese Art & Culture Appreciation. She has discovered, nurtured and exposed multiple famous Vietnamese Painters such as Pham Dinh Hao, Hoang Sung etc..Most importantly, as the first female Vietnamese Art Curator, she has successfully showing a different Vietnam to the world. Now at 94 years old, she is an active public speakers, book author, writer who continues fueling inspirations to the younger generations. I believe my grand mother, Madame Xuan Phuong, is the only one of our time.

As ambitious as it sounds, I would like to follow her footstep to become the pioneer Vietnamese Jewelry brand, showcasing Vietnamese Art, Cultures and Design through BẠC. It has been a rocky road but I believe I will get there. No such dream is to wild to achieve, especially when I have an magnificent guiding figure.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I considered myself lucky to have my mother, Lien Hoang, as cofounder. I just always knew my mother has a very special taste in her styles. Graduated from the University of Arts (Hanoi, Vietnam), she utilized her unique expertise in playing with colors as a personal trademark for her Art, using tearing paper technique. My mother is a person of colors (when I say colors, think neon). It always has to be a head to toe matching looks. She has no interest in big fashion brands; she oftently took me to the thrift stores/ vintage clothing shops. She has a certain charm that turns whatever she does or dresses more attractive.
She also source and does custom silver jewelry in a unique way. My mother was one of the first in her generation who made silver jewelry became fashionable  and recognizable as fashion accessories by designing her own, instead of something very traditional or health benefit related (we believe and it is proven that wearing silver can protect you from certain sicknesses). When it comes to art appreciation, she never force me to take it in in a certain way.

With BẠC, it all started with the silver family heirloom necklaces which she designed and re-purposed for all family members. Growing up wearing them, I have fully understood that it is just like wearing a part of my mother. They mean something personal and they feel like a second skin. I would like to create the same emotion and inspire others to feel the similar journey when a piece of jewelry, monetary value aside, has a power to fire up a feeling inside you.

Although she lives in Vietnam and I live in Los Angeles, we both heavily involve in the design and production process. A design takes at least 2 months to research and finalize. We communicate with each other daily – it’s already tough to run a business together when we are 3000 miles apart but this never stops us to pursuing our mission of putting Vietnamese Design on the map.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.baccollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_baccollection_/

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Animalia by Ti Chu Photography