Academy Awards president dons Vietnamese gown at Oscars

At the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles, Yang appeared in a metallic cape gown with a collar of studded metal and crystal flowers.

Yang wore a bun and magenta lipstick with the gown, making a stunning combination for the special event.

The gown belongs to Hoa’s “Sa Vu” collection released last year. The Vietnamese designer said Yang’s team ordered the gown from him two months before the Oscars.

President of Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Janet Yang at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023. Photo by AFP

“When they saw this design, they said it met their requirements, in which the shoulders exude dominance, and the handmade studded details help amplify beauty and power,” Hoa said.

After a week of planning, Hoa and his team made the dress in eight days, with two craftsmen creating the studded collar in five days.

Yang, 66, is an American film producer who is known for works such as “The People vs. Larry Flynt” and “The Weight of Water”. According to Variety, she is the first Asian-American President of Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the fourth woman to hold the position.

Since the beginning of 2023, many of Hoa’s designs have been chosen by international celebrities. At the recent Grammy Awards, singers Miranda Lambert, Jordan Chiles, and Sevyn Streeters all showed up on the red carpet in Hoa’s gowns.

In early February, Vietnamese-born TV host Jeannie Mai showed off her curves in a fishtail dress at an event in Atlanta, Georgia. At the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January, actress Bella Thorne chose a see-through dress from Hoa’s Sa Vu collection.

Hoa, 38, has also designed outfits for many Vietnamese celebrities. His designs have been featured in domestic fashion events such as the Elle Show and Vietnam International Fashion Week.