A Journey of Individuality and Sustainability

From "Hàng Thùng" to a Bold Vision

My name is Cuong Nguyen, I was born in Vietnam during the late 1970s and grew up through my teenage years as the country transformed from a planned economy to a market-driven one. As Vietnam opened its doors to global trade, second-hand goods—especially clothes—flooded in from developed nations.

We called them "hàng thùng"—a second-hand fashion phenomenon where clothes arrived in bulk, stored in massive containers on trucks. These trucks would stop on certain streets, swing open their doors, and within moments, a crowd would gather, eagerly sifting through piles of garments to find stylish, affordable pieces before they were gone.

At first, the experience was exciting—a treasure hunt for trendy clothes adorned with celebrity images and bold prints. But soon, I saw the downside: trends changed too fast, rendering these clothes outdated almost instantly. Worse, their poor quality meant they wore out quickly, fueling an endless cycle of disposable fashion.

The Fast Fashion Crisis: A Call to Action

Fast forward to 2024, when during a conversation with my colleague Long Phan, we reflected on those memories. He revealed that the second-hand fashion industry had shifted to Africa, leaving behind mountains of fast fashion waste in deserts.

We discussed how trend-driven fashion creates a cycle where clothes appear quickly, disappear just as fast, and end up as waste. Overproduction, poor quality, and unsustainable consumption now dominate the industry, with overflowing landfills harming our planet.

We asked ourselves:
What if people bought items they truly loved instead of chasing fleeting trends?
What if quality, originality, and sustainability defined fashion?

That’s when we decided it was time for change.

Greenpeace: How fast fashion is fuelling the fashion waste crisis in Africa

Building a Brand with Purpose

With this vision, Long Phan and I launched CustomYour.life—to create high-quality, everyday essentials that are both bold and timeless. We design products that you can truly connect with, cherish, and use for years, reducing waste and promoting mindful consumption.

To bring our vision to life, we:

✅ Carefully selected eco-friendly providers from Printify, the largest print-on-demand service in the U.S.
✅ Chose only durable, environmentally friendly fabrics – prioritizing organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainable materials.
✅ Used AI-powered tools & graphic editor software for unique designs – ensuring every pattern is one-of-a-kind.

For further insights into our sustainable journey and eco-friendly practices, visit our blog for stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes updates.

Our Mission: Wear What You Love, Keep It Forever

At CustomYour.life, we are here to:

🌿 Inspire Individuality – With bold, unique patterns crafted for self-expression.
🌿 Promote Sustainability – Offering durable, eco-friendly products that reduce waste.
🌿 Redefine Everyday Fashion – Encouraging conscious shopping over trend-chasing.

When you wear what you truly love, you keep it longer. Our goal is to turn everyday items into functional art that resonates with your personality.