CDAM - INFLOWING Exhibition

INFLOWING is an intersection of fashion and philosophy, art and design, culture and space.

The project poses a thought-provoking question: "In the future, what will we bring back to the present to honor our past?" As we navigate the design process—unfolding each layer of thought from both fashion designer Cường Đàm and the project itself—we gradually delve into the cultural fabric of Vietnamese society, tracing back to the core values of its people since the dawn of the agricultural era.

With a concept rich in imagery and meaning, we had the opportunity to experiment across multiple mediums—installation, visual art, sculpture, and spatial design. This project is not just a creative endeavor but also a journey of learning and discovery that reinforced our vision and artistic direction.

Cường Đàm’s designs carry a distinctive futuristic aesthetic, blending Eastern and Vietnamese elements with fluid, organic forms, especially elliptical shapes emerged repeatedly, sparking a larger narrative in concept development.

This led CABE Studio to the central idea of the grain of rice—a symbol deeply rooted in wet rice civilization, embodying the inspiration behind Cường Đàm’s work: áo yếm, quang gánh, nón quai thao, and of course, the rice grain itself

The number 580 in the Inflowing logo represents 580 rice grains, symbolizing more than just a futuristic spaceship. It becomes a language—a medium of connection.

The invitation was placed inside a pocket of rice grains, carrying their natural fragrance and a rustic texture to the touch.

By intertwining the seed, the yin-yang philosophy in design, and futuristic aesthetics, we created a symbol that is both iconic and fashion-forward: the rice grain spaceship.

As the world advances, should we preserve and honor our past values? This question has remained at the heart of our project. Vietnam, with its millennia-old wet rice civilization, holds a wealth of cultural heritage that deserves both respect and innovation. In the present, we see boundless potential—can rice serve a purpose beyond sustenance and clothing? Can it inspire something as visionary as a spaceship?

The spaceship's landing site will unveil 33 designs from the collection within three immersive experience spaces at the Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA):

The Timeline – Tracing the evolution of designer Cường Đàm
The Fields – The birthplace of ideas and concepts
The Seed – A space dedicated to the future

Like a symphony, elements such as lighting, materials, models, makeup, music, and visuals harmonized seamlessly in the show, guided by the masterful direction of show director Thành Chu, catwalk director Tuyết Lan, art director Vic Lee, and musician Ngô Hồng Quang.

Credits

Creative Director: Cao Hoàng Long
Art Director: Trần Khải Hoàn
Graphic Designer: Thanh Hoà
3D Artist: Long Đoàn
Architecture: Viet Quoc Dao
Project Manager: Alita
Managing Director: An Vu

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