Designer to present record-long ao dai in Thailand

The designer will present the ao dai at the Look International Fashion Show at the Thailand Post on July 2. Model Lam Nguyen Minh Vy will catwalk the outfit on the 120 m-wide outdoor runway.

Phuong Ho has said she wanted to bring the ao dai abroad to promote Vietnamese culture. The record ao dai weighs 250 kg and it took two months for Ho to complete.

The longest ao dai in Vietnam is presented on April 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Le Trong

On May 25, a representative of VietKings, a book of world records, gave the designer a certificate that recognized her work as the longest handmade ao dai in Vietnam.

The ao dai is made up of 410 m of taffeta fabric with chiffon and brocade materials. The dress includes 50 meters of shiny silk, 380 sequin laces, 100 rolls of wool and ruffles, 300 large stones and millions of crystal beads.

Thirty-one landscape paintings of Vietnam are stitched together on the ao dai.

On the front body of the outfit are details of the Hung Vuong culture and the back body displays images of lotus ponds.

The lotus stretching throughout the hem of the ao dai is made of brocade fabric using 3D embossing techniques

Phuong Ho said that after the event, the work will be cut and sewn into 100 ao dai for auction. All proceeds will be used for charity.

The back of the ao dai features lotus paintings. Photo by VnExpress/Le Trong

The event in Thailand brings together five fashion houses, including three Vietnamese brands. Phuong Ho will introduce her collection named “Check.” The series’ main colors are black and white, inspired by the checkered pattern of the traditional scarf in southern Vietnam, combined with designs of ancient Thai architecture to express the spirit of cultural exchange.

The remaining two collections are from Hirun and Alicio Brand, both designers who introduced their work at fashion weeks in New York, Paris and Milan. Before the show, the models participated in a Bangkok street parade riding in a tuk-tuk – a traditional three-wheeled Thai vehicle.

Phuong Ho’s real name is Ho Thuy Diem Phuong. At 41, she is one of the famous ao dai designers Ho Chi Minh City. Her designs combine traditional and modern features, using patterning and hand-sewn techniques, and images of palm leaves, lotus and peach blossoms.