Vy Voi, a design studio based in New York and Sài Gòn, led by Steffany Trần, presents the Rễ Cây collection, which translates to "root" in Vietnamese. This lighting collection explores the tension between the weightless and the grounded. Introduced during NYCxDESIGN at wanted/ICFF in May 2024, it is the designer's second lighting collection.

The Rễ Cây collection features five individual lights: Sắn Light, Cà-rốt Light, Củ Cải Light, Khoai Môn Light, and Củ Đậu Light. Each piece embodies the belief in finding balance amidst contrasts in form, material, and proportion. The design establishes a visual tension, where the lampshades appear to sprout from their bases like roots, creating a sense of contained comfort. Up close, soft shapes and organic textures emerge, inviting a closer look.

The collection emphasizes harmony, merging traditional craft with modern design. Each lamp is anchored by a hand-thrown porcelain base, which provides stability, while the lightweight lampshade is made from Dó paper—historic paper handmade in Bắc Ninh, Việt Nam. This careful juxtaposition of weight brings a graceful balance to the design.

Dó paper, crafted from the bark of the Dó tree, is notable for its durability and historical significance. Traditionally used for royal documents and folk art, its creation process is over 800 years old and remains in the hands of a few artisan families. Due to the humid conditions in Việt Nam, production is limited, resulting in a textured, fabric-like quality that enhances each lamp's individuality by revealing natural bits of bark.

This collection aims to preserve Dó paper's tradition by reimagining it as a functional design material. The rich composition of the paper gives each lamp a unique character, encouraging closer interaction with its organic textures and the smooth surfaces of the gas-fired clay.

The design philosophy centers on exploration and contradiction, producing a collection that feels both composed and contrasting. Each piece in the Rễ Cây collection illustrates how disparate elements, when combined, can uplift one another. While each light stands independently, together they create gentle vignettes throughout a home, reminiscent of flower arrangements.

Users are invited to customize their lighting experience with dimming options, ranging from a soft glow to full brightness, facilitating a range of moods. Designed, handmade, and assembled in New York, the collection offers custom scale and color material finishes (CMF). The ceramic bases are crafted in Vy Voi’s gas kiln studio, while the Dó paper lampshades are produced in collaboration with artisan families in Bắc Ninh, Việt Nam.