Dallas’ International Girl on the Go Creates a Collection That’s Perfect for Travel

Hanh Merriman has worn many hats, including philanthropist and writer whose blog, Life in Travel, chronicled her journeys around the globe, which included oh-so many runway shows in Paris and Milan. Some might call her a style-setter more than a jet-setter; her envelope-pushing looks have been noted in publications ranging from American Vogue to Vanity Fair (and, of course, PaperCity). Now Merriman, who was born in rural Vietnam, dons the chapeau of fashion designer.

Her new collection, Hanh, has all one might need to pack in a chic weekend bag: dresses, tops, pants, and outerwear. Her Vietnamese upbringing is referenced throughout, with Áo dài silhouettes and kumquat blossom motifs. The collection follows Merriman’s mantra of creating clothing for what women want in this moment and moving forward. She also continues with her philanthropic efforts, as her brand will support vulnerable communities across her native home via a partnership with Hanoi-based Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.

We asked Merriman to help us look the part of the effortless and stylish globe trotter. She’s reawakened my own wanderlust, and I hope to find myself in executive airport lounges later this fall, adopting some of her in-the-know tips.

Last trip.
Big Sur, California. It feels like heaven on earth. I love how the fog changes every day to give a feeling of mystery. Truly stunning.

Favorite hotel in the world.
What a hard choice! I love the Aman properties and have stayed at Amangiri in Utah, Amanyara in Turks & Caicos, and Amansara in Cambodia. Their minimalist appearance is what draws me in, and I love the architecture and clean lines.

Five favorite shops in the world.
I love the vibe of Bergdorf Goodman, and Comme des Garçons New York as well. Rick Owens in Paris, The Conservatory in Dallas and New York, and I also like Tokio7 in NYC for vintage options.

Window or aisle.
I always love the window seat — which allows me to see all the cities below me.

On your playlist for poolside or lounging on an exotic beach.
Buddha-Bar [compilation albums] are always at the top of my list. Beauty item you can’t travel without.

Lipstick.
Lipstick saves my life when I’m too lazy to do a full makeup look.

When visiting Vietnam, is there a dish you must have right after you arrive?
I love banh chuoi nuong. It’s grilled sticky rice wrapped with banana inside, topped with coconut cream and roasted peanuts. It’s a southern Vietnamese dish.

Must see or do on a trip to Vietnam.
Visit the Golden Bridge in Bà Nà, Da Nang — it’s newly built. And, of course, Ha Long Bay.

The Hanh collection will be available at The Conservatory and online at hanhcollection.com. A portion of proceeds benefits Blue Dragon’s pandemic-relief effort, providing food, medical supplies, rent relief, and other essential services to families affected by the COVID crisis in Vietnam.