ATG is proud to highlight Chloe Dao, a talented designer and winner of Project Runway Season 2, who won the hearts of America with her mild honest demeanor and judges’ votes with her consistent display of technical skills, business savvy and creative talent. Not only is she a successful entrepreneur, she has a wonderful dedication to her family.Chloe’s modest immigrant upbringing has kept her grounded, despite her new found celebrity status. She emigrated from Pakse, Laos in 1979 with her parents, Thu Thien Dao and Hue Thuc Luong, and her 7 sisters to the U.S. and settled in Houston, Texas. All the sisters were encouraged to study hard and pursue careers in medicine or law, although Chloe was never interested in either. Her passion for design and fashion were sparked at the age of 10 when she saw her first episode of CNN’s Style with Elsa Klensch. The passion grew into a career choice, and years later, she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a patternmaking degree.
Even with the win of PR2, Chloe continues to develop and grow her boutique’s business in Houston. In March 2008, she launched her Dao Chloe Dao wholesale line with showrooms in New York and Dallas. Her collection is available nationwide and through www.lot8online.com.
Don’t miss your chance to meet Chloe and catch her collection at this year’s Fashion for a Passion charity event on September 25th!
Full Name
Chloe Dao
Hometown
Pakse, Laos
Current City
Houston, TX
Ethnicity
Vietnamese
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Follow your dreams…by your own rules, but also be respectful of family and history.
Follow your dreams…by your own rules, but also be respectful of family and history.
What made you decide to pursue a career in the fashion?
My love for fashion is innately in me. I always felt it pursuaded me. There is nothing else I want to do.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in a very competitive industry?
I think the challenges I faced have never been about race. Maybe I am being naïve, but I think in fashion, it is all about balancing creativity with commerce. One cannot survive without the other.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
My boutique. It is what I always wanted, ever since I was 19. I made it happen when I was 28. Lot 8 boutique just celebrated 10 years in business.
My boutique. It is what I always wanted, ever since I was 19. I made it happen when I was 28. Lot 8 boutique just celebrated 10 years in business.
