Fresh Faces: Tifanny Bophadavy Doche

Highlighting locally-produced Cambodian fashion
By Sharrona Valezka

FAM FRESH FACES is a series featuring young Southeast Asian fashion practitioners, where we speak with them about how they embarked on their careers and what propels them as creatives.

Tifanny Bophadavy Doche is a French-Cambodian designer who is the founder of the contemporary brand Revivre Studio. After obtaining her Diploma in Fashion Design from ESMOD Paris in 2017, she worked in Paris and Amsterdam before moving to Cambodia in 2021. She established Revivre Studio the following year to shine a light on Cambodian fashion and improve the standard of local production. Aside from working on her brand, Tifanny is the lead designer of ReMade in Cambodia, a Phnom Phen-based sustainable fashion enterprise that strives to highlight emerging Khmer designers.

To start, could you talk about your background? What or who are the main influences your work draws upon?

In 2017, I graduated with a Diploma in Fashion Design from ESMOD, Fashion Design and Business School in France. I started my journey as a fashion designer working in Paris and Amsterdam, where I had the opportunity to be part of fashion weeks and collaborate with other designers within teams. After spending three years working as a designer in Paris, I made a pivotal decision in 2021 to leave France and embrace a new chapter in Cambodia. The move coincided with the global pandemic and also my 25th birthday, which prompted me to embark on a journey that felt like a bold step but a necessary rebirth.

My creative influences are deeply rooted in my mixed cultural background—I am half Chinese, half Cambodian, and was born in France. My diverse background, coupled with my fascination for human stories, adventures, and emotions, serve as the driving force behind my work.

Revivre Studio, RTW Collection 2022. Images courtesy of Tifanny Bophadavy Doche.

Could you describe the initial process of creating your brand, Revivre Studio? What was the story behind it?

The word revivre, which means revive in French, came to me during a workout session. Phnom Penh was under a two-week lockdown due to the pandemic, and it felt mentally frustrating. I had moved to Cambodia to start anew, only to find myself confined in similar situations I experienced in France. I was chatting with my uncle, expressing my frustration and questioning my choices, when I said the phrase 'I came here to start a new life, to revive!' in French. With that, the idea for Revivre Studio was born.

The name embodies the brand's mission to revive elements that have long been forgotten, such as the art and untold stories in Cambodia. When I moved to the country, establishing my own brand was already part of my goal, but the pandemic provided a year-long window to meticulously build Revivre Studio. I spent six months assembling the right team, a challenging process given the specific skills and individuals needed. Once everything was in place, we officially launched the brand in March 2022 with the soft opening of our showroom, office, and production space.

Revivre Studio, ‘Revivre is Not Street’ collection, 2023. Images courtesy of Tifanny Bophadavy Doche.

Let’s talk more about Revivre Studio’s latest collection. What was the inspiration behind it? Are there any specific elements in the garments that you would want people to pay attention to, and why?

The brand’s latest capsule collection, ‘Revivre is Not Street’ is a playful exploration. At Revivre Studio, each collection is a unique narrative with its own concept and style. We operate more like a creative studio—eager to experiment and explore something new with every release.

For our latest collection, I drew inspiration from my love of the French rap music genre, especially artists such as Shay, Niska, and SCH. It was our take on streetwear and our attempt to introduce this specific style to Cambodia. The collection primarily features faux leather and denim. The details, which are heavily influenced by motorsport aesthetics, blend seamlessly with the brand’s romantic element in the form of bows, as well as heart and floral patterns.

The collection name, ‘Revivre is Not Street’, emerged from a conversation I had with one of my friends. I was discussing my idea to create the collection, but my friend insisted that Revivre Studio is not synonymous with street style as it is more chic, classy, and couture. In contrast with this statement, for me, Revivre Studio can be anything, as creativity knows no bounds. When it comes to creating designs, I think it is all about the message you want to convey with your collections, and translating it into a visual style is a secondary aspect. Interestingly, that same friend ended up photographing the collection and declaring it his favourite among all from Revivre Studio.

Behind-the-scenes process of creating a collection. Images courtesy of Tifanny Bophadavy Doche.

Could you share more of the creative and technical process of creating a collection in general? What were the challenges you faced, and how did you solve them?

We usually start our creative process with the concept and its story, often visualised through a mood board. The concept holds immense significance for us because our designs gain meaning and depth through a compelling narrative. Following this initial stage, we dive into experimentation before delving into actual designs or patterns. This involves activities like collage and moulage, allowing us to explore different possibilities.

One of the significant challenges we face in Cambodia is sourcing materials. We prioritise local suppliers, and while this commitment is essential to us, it comes with its own set of limitations. Since our primary source is the local markets, the variety of materials available is quite restricted. Consequently, even if we have a creative idea or experiment in mind, we often need to adapt it based on the materials currently available on the market.

Revivre Studio, RTW Collection 2022. Image courtesy of Tifanny Bophadavy Doche.

On your website, you have noted that your designs incorporate your French and Khmer backgrounds. What kind of elements are you looking at in particular? Could you share some examples of how you applied it to your garments?

My time in France taught me the importance of savoir-faire, a French expression that means skills and knowledge acquired through practical experience, and the commitment to garment quality. These are elements that I strive to infuse into my designs. Revivre Studio aims to elevate the standard of the ‘made in Cambodia' tagline and to take pride in our country's knowledge and skills. This commitment drives us to set high expectations for every garment we produce, ensuring the best possible quality for our nation. We blend this quality standard with traditional Khmer outfit details, whether it is a unique shirt cut or incorporating a flower symbolising the country through beading.

“My time in France taught me the importance of savoir-faire, a French expression that means skills and knowledge acquired through practical experience, and the commitment to garment quality. Revivre Studio aims to elevate the standard of the ‘made in Cambodia’ tagline and to take pride in our country’s knowledge and skills.”

You represented Cambodia to speak at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen recently. What is the significance of this achievement to you as a Cambodian/Southeast Asian fashion designer? And what are the opportunities you seek as an emerging practitioner?

It was a tremendous honour to be the first Cambodian designer on the Global Fashion Summit stage, representing my country and sharing our story. The opportunity came unexpectedly, and being alongside renowned names in the fashion industry felt surreal. There was a certain pressure, as it marked my debut representing Cambodia on an international stage. I am grateful to the Global Fashion Summit team for providing a platform to voice my story and showcase fashion design from Southeast Asia. I aspire to continue representing my country and pave the way for the next generation of designers in Cambodia.

What are your hopes for your local fashion scene and in Southeast Asia as well?

I envision a future where people worldwide recognise and appreciate the incredible talents and skills of Southeast Asian practitioners. Our ongoing efforts are directed towards increasing awareness and fostering a preference for local purchases to showcase the abundant resources and skills in Cambodia. Although progress is gradual, I am optimistic that Cambodia and Southeast Asia will continue to expand and eventually emerge as leaders in the fashion industry.

Finally, what plans do you have in store for your practice moving forward?

We are currently working on something, but it is still a secret for now!

See more of Tifanny’s work here, and on Instagram at @tifannybophadavy and @revivrestudio.