“Style in my opinion always requires a certain amount of strong attitude. Many people can combine cool outfits but only few can perform them authentically.” tells me Anh Dinh, who I briefly met at the opening of the Monki store in Berlin and whose sense of style attracted my attention.

So I figured out that she studies fashion design at the Esmod in Berlin, is doing an apprenticeship at PurPur Styling and has her own brilliant blog called Tha Darlinh, that I want to introduce you today…

Your blog is “A personal online space created to share all the DARLINHs in my life. DARLINHs are things I love – mostly addressed to fashion, inspiring people, places and moments.” What do people, places and moments have to have to inspire you?

There is not really a pattern to my inspirations. I go through my life trying to take in as much of my environment as possible. Sometimes there are those special people, places and moments that touch me just a little bit more. But so much I can say: I am a fan of slight weirdness, perfect harmony is not for me.

Who´s style do you really admire?

I really admire Avril Lavigne’s style. Not the way that I would imitate her style but in the way she appears. Style in my opinion always requires a certain amount of strong attitude. Many people can combine cool outfits but only few can perform them authentically.

What brought you to Berlin? And what are the things you like most about the city? 

Well, my parents brought me to Berlin (haha). I was born here, then we lived for four years in a town called Senftenberg in Brandenburg but came back to Berlin soon after. And I could not be happier about it. I cannot imagine growing up anywhere else. I love the ambitious artistic vibe of the city and it’s citizens. Everyone seems to work hard on dreams and aims, but on the first sunny day after a long winter people take a break, relax and soak in the long awaited warmth – even if it is just for a few minutes. Best thing to watch in Berlin.

Your parents are from Vietnam, how much of their culture has shaped your personality?

Hard to say, it is still shaping. My parents passed me a few typical Vietnamese habits. For example I always take too much food and snacks on longer trips although there are enough possibilities to buy something along the way. From my Vietnam trips I learnt to always quietly observe first and then to act thoughtful. But all in all Berlin definitely shaped me the most. Without it’s creative streak I probably would not find the encouragement to follow my fashion dreams.

You are a beautiful girl, what does beauty mean to you?

Oh thanks for the compliment! I feel beautiful when I do not have to put much make-up on and feel happy about how I look. And I think that feeling of happiness and confidence makes one beautiful.

Where do you see your blog and yourself in a few years?

Honestly, I have no idea. In a few years I will have started and finished my fashion design study at ESMOD Berlin and will be in front of the big question which path I will choose next. Wishful thinking, my destiny will come naturally – maybe I will become a fashion designer, a stylist, maybe even the next big blogger star… no let’s stay real. I will probably have the first actual problems of my life. I am only 17 right now, I think I will have changed a lot in a few years. I wonder what I will say when I re-read this interview in remote future. Will I laugh about my young self? Or will I give myself a pat on the back?

The most important thing in life?

Being happy with my life. What I need for that? The people I love and a job I can be passionate about – oh and chocolate!

Images by:
Anh Dinh – www.thadarlinh.com
Berat Oeztas – Forgive me Fashion
Caroline Leonhard – La Dolce Fashion Vita
Cevan Saglam – Lifestylesession
Leeloo – Crystal Shiver
Lois Opoku - L is for Lois
Niklas Kretzschmar – NK Photography
Wioletta Tuschnio – Remote Future
Yuliya Maltseva – Yu Fashionable