Leaders

The power of great visuals lies in the way you communicate and articulate them. It is an Art form on its own”, says Fong-Chan Zeuthen, the Founder of KAZE Interior Design Studio. Fong-Chan Zeuthen, a successful business woman and a notable architect from Denmark, is born in Thailand, but was adopted as a youngster. She spent her formative years in Denmark where she finished her Master studies. From the beginning, she was always surrounded and inspired by the visual beauty of the world around her, such as art, architecture, furniture, compositions, aesthetics, and colors. Her father was an Architect, while her mother was a Painting artist who worked in oil, chalk, and watercolor. Engaging in an exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Fong-Chan speaks about her passion for architecture and design. She describes what lead and influenced her, to establish KAZE Interior Design Studio.

What led you to establish KAZE Interior Design Studio? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the firm and some of its most unique features.

My Entrepreneurial spirit comes from deep inside me with the belief that I can do better. Everything that might has been working against me throughout this journey, is never seen as a defeat, instead it is always a chance to discover new ideas. 20 years later, I am still learning new aspects of design and humans, every day. KAZE Interior Design Studio is a fruitful result of my personal journey in Architecture and design. For that, I am grateful for the opportunities given during my previous positions in other Design studio’s. They gave me great courage and taught me ideas and ways to shape the KAZE Interior Design Studio, it is today.

What are the various roles that you have as the Founder of KAZE Interior Design Studio?

In my line of work, I interact with clients who are entrepreneurial, powerful, bold, strict, and demanding. People that have worked themselves from zero to heroes.

People that have made themselves wealthy and influential. I engage with large developments, where a predominant masculine-driven environment is present most times. In my position, what I offer our client, is their dreams and visions, cleverly put through the prism of design experience and human expertise. Try to picture yourself in the audience of a Circus. Then you will see me there, as the director, who conducts the lions, tigers, and elephants, guiding the clowns, and the acrobats, keeping the audience engaged and wowed. On the other hand, don’t be surprised to also see me selling tickets, making popcorn and slush ice, and that would be the perfect analogy to illustrate a picture of what I deal with on a daily basis.

Our job as interior architects is never limited to just creating and illustrating beautiful imagines. Hence, in our professional setting, we must work closely with other consultants with special expertise, to see our visions become reality.

Often, clients might not be aware of the 'leg brace' that has been created within their own organization. Our job is to ensure we stay on track with the design intention, and mitigate through the project and all its components and obstacles.

In your opinion, what are some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved throughout your professional journey?

We had our 10th Anniversary in 2020 (2010-2020). Looking back, the Milestones we set, in the beginning, have been fulfilled over the past 10 years. We havebecome an Award-winning studio and an acclaimed name in the design business across Vietnam. We are known for design quality and experience. KAZE Interior Design is a group of designer with high integrity, in the design we create. Getting the job done in Vietnam is not a walk in the park” In the beginning of my career, I found myself explaining to client’s, why our professional service of Interior Design was needed in the first place. Hence, those were the stepping stones for KAZE Interior Design Studio to mark its name.

“What i bring to the table is my expertise in myfield applied artfully to my client's hopes & aspirations”

Drawing from your experience as a business leader, what would your advice be to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

When it comes to leadership, my best words for you is: to dare step out of the shadow. Find your own way of thinking, being, and designing. It might seem the hardest thing to do in a highly competitive and intimidating environment, but it is a choice you need to firmly pursue. Leadership starts with making choices. I often remind my team that, if you are indolent, you have no place in a design studio. Doing what we do best, it takes time, focus, tenacity, tireless practice, and commitment.

Being an Architect and Designer is a calling, not a job. It’s a Love for the creationand to have a lifelong engagement: to find your own nest and your own voice must be your aim. In KAZE, I found mine.

Fong-Chan Zeuthen, Founder, Kaze Interior Design Studio

Fong-Chan, a successful Danish entrepreneur, earned a Master of Architecture from Denmark's Academy of Architecture in Aarhus. Founded in 2010, Fong-Chan Zeuthen's Vietnam-based Interior Design business has accolade prestigious awards.