The Aquafina Vietnam International Fashion Week (AVIFW) Autumn/Winter 2024, held from November 13th to 16th in Hanoi, took attendees on a journey exploring Vietnam's rich culture and traditions.

Vietnamese Designers Shine

Cao Minh Tien: Hailing from Hanoi, designer Cao Minh Tien presented the "Đủng Đỉnh" (Leisure) collection, inspired by the Đạo Mẫu (Mother Goddess) religion, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The collection featured vibrant, modern casual wear and captivating áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) embroidered with folk patterns, inspired by the attire of spirit mediums. The designer uniquely combined Japanese obi, a wide sash or belt, with local traditional clothing and patterns.
Thuỷ Nguyễn: Designer Thuỷ Nguyễn showcased a wedding áo dài collection. The designs were inspired by "Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang," the most famous vọng cổ (sentimental folk song) composed by cải lương (reformed opera) master Cao Văn Lầu in 1919. "Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang" sings of a young woman's love, suffering, and pride while waiting for her husband to return from the battlefield. The áo dài in white, red, and pink were embroidered with images of birds, phoenixes, and lotus flowers, celebrating eternal happiness for the bride and groom.
Canifa: Vietnamese fashion brand Canifa delivered a patriotic message with designer Hà Lê's collection, "Kết Nối Tự Hào" (Uniting for National Pride). The collection featured red casual wear with slogans extolling the nation and calling for youth patriotism.

International Designers Join the Stage

Fredrick Lee: Singaporean designer Lee highlighted the cultural identity of indigenous communities worldwide with his latest collection, "Down to Earth". Each piece told a story of a community's journey, beliefs, and sacred values, shaped over generations. Lee used natural materials such as soft feathers, shimmering beads, and rustic raffia straw to reflect the delicate connection between humans and nature, expressing deep gratitude and respect for the natural world. Miss Cosmo Thailand 2024 Mook Karnruethai Tassabut and Miss Face Vietnam 2023 Huỳnh Tú Anh graced the runway for Lee's show.
Since its first edition in 2014, VIWF has welcomed designers from over 30 countries and regions. It has also established itself as a major fashion event in ASEAN, ranking fourth in Asia after Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai Fashion Weeks.

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