HOT DESIGNS: Vietnamese designer Lê Thanh Hoà opens the Aquafina Việt Nam International Fashion Week (AVIFW) Spring/Summer 2023 in HCM City with a new collection called “Hoa Trên Sóng Nước” (Flowers and the Waves). Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

HCM CITY – Vietnamese designer Lê Thanh Hoà presented his new collection of fancy dresses using environmentally friendly materials in HCM City on Thursday night.

Hoà’s show opened the Aquafina Việt Nam International Fashion Week (AVIFW) Spring/Summer 2023, which attracted 16 international and Vietnamese designers and fashion brands, the London College for Design & Fashion in Hà Nội, and the Marangoni Fashion Institute in Milan, Italy.

His collection, called “Hoa Trên Sóng Nước” (Flowers and the Waves), features cocktail and evening dresses in natural fabrics, including organza, taffeta, raffia fabrics, and Mã Châu silk originated from the 600-year-old silk village in the central province of Quảng Nam.

Hoà’s designs have intricate structures with Swarovski crystal flower applique, and colours of white, silver and different shades of blue to reflect the purity of flower and water.

Hoà said: “My collection is inspired by the multifaceted reflection of women in the past and present. I portray images of courageous women who are not only beautiful and gentle as flowers but also strong enough to make waves.”

Hoà, who was born in1985 in Bình Dương Province, is a fashion design graduate of the HCM City University of Architecture.

He won first prize at the Aquafina Pure Fashion in 2009 and then joined fashion shows such as Đẹp Fashion Show and VIFW.

He is also known for designing for pageant contests such as Miss Việt Nam and Miss World Việt Nam.

Designer Frederick Lee from Singapore presents impressive designs from his collection “Synopsis”. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

The opening show also introduced impressive designs in vivid colours from the collection “Synopsis” by Singaporean designer Frederick Lee, and numerous looks in the collection “Dung” created by designers from the Marangoni Fashion Institute in Milan, Italy.

Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, president of Việt Nam International Fashion Week (VIFW), spoke at the opening ceremony, saying, “After 10 years and 15 fashion shows, Việt Nam’s fashion affirms its position on the world map. I believe in a thriving industry with a clear vision for the future. That is sustainable fashion.”

Trang expected the AVIFW Spring/Summer 2023, with a theme of “Shaping the Future”, “to elevate Vietnamese fashion in its home market.”

The VIFW Spring/Summer 2023 runs until July 16 at the 7th Military Region Stadium in Tân Bình District. — VNS

CRYSTAL CLEAR - Famed model Thanh Hằng presents Hoà’s showstopper – the Swarovski crystal flower applique dress. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

LATEST FASHION - Models Minh Triệu and Kỳ Duyên in cocktail dresses by Hoà. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Model Vũ Thu Phương in a sequin dress from the collection “Dung” by designers from Marangoni Fashion Institute in Milan, Italy. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, VIFW President, and Italian Consul General in HCM City Enrico Padula (R) and VIFW partners from Italy. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC