Vietnam fashion week honours traditional material

For the first time, most collections of the Vietnam Fashion Week (VFW) Spring-Summer 2018 are designed with traditional fabrics such as silk, tussore, grass cloth, cotton and linen.

The fashion week is being held at Vietnam Television’s studio S14 in Hanoi from September 29^th to October 2^nd.

Model Ngoc Han wears a design by Cao Minh Tien using hand-embroidery patterns. (Photo courtesy of organiser)

Designer Minh Hanh, founder of the VFW, said it’s time to honour traditional fabric.

“Designers and models have brought Vietnamese fashion to the world, but we don’t have the complete glory if we keep using materials imported from foreign countries,” Hanh said. “I have an ambition to introduce to the world market a design that is made in Vietnam from A to Z.”

The fashion week will introduce the latest spring and summer collections of 19 Vietnamese, Spanish and Italian designers during three “Ready To Wear” nights and one “Haute Couture” night. The designs showcase creativity as well as wearability.

The natural materials they use are not only a symbol of national pride, but also both practical and desirable, Hanh said.

“Natural materials such as tussore and silk are ‘crowned’ because of their high adaptability and environmental friendliness,” she said. “With the aim of developing the natural material and expanding the textile weaving villages, designers have been exploring and coordinating with artisans and producers to create natural materials, which are suitable to the requirements of the fashion market.”

The first ‘Ready to wear’ show will introduce the collections of designer Tea Gelashvili from Italy and domestic designers, including Ngoc Han, Phuong Thanh, Duy Nguyen and Hung Viet.

The other shows will feature collections by designers Cao Minh Tien, Diego Cortizas of Chula brand, Cong Huan, Cao Duy, Quang Huy, Ha Duy and Minh Hanh.

Among them, designer Tea Gelashvili, who attended the famous fashion design school Domus Academy, will introduce the hidden beauty of Italy through the delicate details of the costumes in his unique collection.

Hanh is a pioneer in designing with grass cloth from Thanh Hoa and Quang Ngai provinces. She’s known for many collections that include brocades. Audience will see her latest work at this spring-summer fashion week.

Young designer Nhi Hoang has also discovered her own artistic voice by designing with silk from Nha Xq Village, the northern province of Ha Nam.

“In my collection, I use the hand-woven technique in which threads are woven across each other, allowing me to mix the colours,” said Nhi.

The designers will showcase outfits for women, men and children during the event./.

VNF/VNA