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

The fashion week will be held at Việt Nam Television’s studio S14 in Hà Nội from September 29 to October 2.

Designer Minh Hạnh, 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,” Hạnh said. “I have an ambition to introduce to the world market a design that is made in Việt Nam from A to Z.”

A design by Hữu Lala with strong colours. — Photo courtesy of orgniser

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, Hạnh 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 Ngọc Hân, Phương Thanh, Duy Nguyễn and Hùng Việt.

A design by Minh Hạnh. She will present a collection using grass cloth. — Photo courtesy of orgniser

The other shows will feature collections by designers Cao Minh Tiến, Diego Cortizas of Chula brand, Công Huân, Cao Duy, Quang Huy, Hà Duy and Minh Hạnh.

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.

Hạnh is a pioneer in designing with grass cloth from Thanh Hoá and Quảng Ngãi Province. She’s known for many collections that include brocades. Audience will see her latest work at this spring-summer fashion week.

Designer Thanh Thuý uses silk from different regions of the country. — Photo courtesy of orgniser

Young designer Nhi Hoàng has also discovered her own artistic voice by designing with silk from Nha Xá Village, the northern province of Hà 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. — VNS