Fashion Students Explore Fabric Market

The heat rises off the pavement as our Textiles and Fashion students step into District 5’s Soai Kinh Lam Market, the largest fabric market in the city. Between rows of silk, cotton, and colorful beads, students learn invaluable lessons from the experienced vendors.

After weeks of planning, researching materials, and setting budgets, students in Aura Evans’s High School Textiles and Fashion class are ready to bring their designs to life. But before they can realize their visions, they need to learn how to navigate the market and negotiate prices.

The connections students make while looking for materials allow them to build a vital understanding of the market’s importance. At each stall, they are met by professionals who have spent their lives doing what the students are learning to do. The vendors' rich knowledge about tailoring and material applications proves invaluable as students make their fabric choices.

Creativity, Constraints, and Innovation

Textiles and Fashion, one of 14 new classes offered to our High School students this school year, incorporates real-world contexts into its lessons. The visit to Soai Kinh Lam Market—one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most renowned textile hubs—bridges theory with practice. The students transform their sketches and ideas into tangible, real-world projects from start to finish while learning from the vendors’ wealth of knowledge.

“The best way to learn about textiles is to feel them, to ask questions, and to see where they come from,” says Textiles and Fashion teacher, Ms. Evans. “This trip gave students an opportunity to do just that—while also practicing key skills essential for any designer, like budgeting to balance creative vision with cost, problem-solving when materials don’t match expectations, and collaboration to bring a design from concept to reality. These skills make a designer adaptable, resourceful, and successful.”

Design Inspired by Cultural Connections

A firm believer in experiential learning, Ms. Evans brings her own explorations into the classroom. During a recent trip to Sapa, she studied the traditional techniques of the H’Mông people, learning how handcrafted textiles tell a story. “Understanding where materials come from and the people behind them makes a difference in how we approach design,” she explains. “I want students to make those connections too.”

Navigating the market in small groups, students speak to vendors while evaluating everything from textures to colors, buttons, trim, and zippers. Many also have to cross language barriers, getting generous support from Vietnamese-speaking classmates and discovering how the conversations help them create a deeper understanding and appreciation of Vietnam’s rich textile heritage. “Talking with the vendors gives me a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry involved in textile production,” says Jen (G12).

Inspiration Through Exploration

For many students, the excitement of new creative possibilities bubbles up as they explore rows of colorful fabrics and embellishments. Lila (G10) shares that the vibrant colors and textures inspire her, and she’s decided to experiment with combining different kinds of materials that she hadn’t previously considered. Every decision—color, pattern, cost—forces the students to reassess their vision, adapt to what is available, and make connections between creativity and the realities of production.

Beyond the fabric selection process, the visit to the market helps students build confidence as they ask thoughtful questions and become informed consumers. “My pajama pants project would have turned out so differently if I had come here. Knowing how different fabrics and materials feel helps me understand what I can make,” shares Koala (G12). 

Lifelong Lessons Beyond the Classroom

The field trip opened up a new world to our designers, bringing SSIS’s hands-on learning approach to life. By immersing themselves in the vibrant fabric market, students not only honed their practical skills but also deepened their cultural awareness and creative independence. As Ms. Evans puts it, “I can’t wait to see how this experience influences their future projects.”

Opportunities like this are just one example of how SSIS nurtures curiosity and innovation. To learn more about our diverse and dynamic courses—including innovative SSIS courses like Textile and Fashion, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and a wide range of International Baccalaureate (IB) courses for students who want to graduate with the IBDP—explore our High School Program of Studies.