VN Int’l Fashion Week highlights sustainability

VIFW president Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang (M) and designer Võ Công Khanh, who opened the Aquafina Vietnam International Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2022 with his new collection called “H2O”. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

HCM CITY —  Designer Võ Công Khanh has introduced his new collection “H2O” to open the Aquafina Việt Nam International Fashion Week (VIFW) Spring-Summer 2022 in HCM City.

The collection shown at the Military Zone 7 Gymnasium on Thursday night featured dozens of ready-to-wear designs for men and women in blue and white with circular and square patterns.

Khanh has used “green materials” made of oyster shells, coffee ground, lotus fibre and recycled plastic to highlight the AVIFW 2022 theme of “ReFashion”, stressing the need for and desirability of sustainability in the fashion industry.

According to Khanh, “H2O” conveys a message of re-using discarded materials, recycling them with high-tech material handling techniques and reviving them as artworks.

His journey to fashion prominence began after winning top prize at the Vietnam Collection Grand Prix 2002, which gave him the chance to work with French fashion designer Stéphane Rolland in 2003.

He has since released several collections including “Trúc Mai” (Bamboo and Ochna Flower), “Con Cò” (Stork) and “Butterfly” at events like Việt Nam Fashion Week, Elle Fashion Show and Festival Huế.

Early this year, Khanh and fashion firm Faslink launched a collection made completely from coffee-derived fibres.

Designer Adrian Anh Tuấn (M) and models display the “Lãng Du” (Wandering) collection. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

The opening show also saw designer Adrian Anh Tuấn also present his “Lãng Du” collection, inspired by his trips to tropical islands

The collection consists of 50 designs in vivid colour and unique patterns made of oyster shell and lotus-derived materials.

The show also saw a new collection by fashion brand Camicissima from Italy.

The AVIFW 2022 has attracted the participation of 18 Vietnamese and international designers and brands like designers Hoàng Hải, Lê Long Dũng, and Nguyễn Tiến Truyển, and brand Zimmermann from Australia. The event will close on May 29. — VNS

Vietnamese model Thanh Hằng with one of Khanh’s creations collection. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Khanh’s creations are made of recycled materials. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 Nguyễn Trần Khánh Vân sports a “Lãng Du” creation. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

A vivid dress from the “Lãng Du” collection. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

VIFW president Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang with French Consul General Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser and her husband, and Dutch Consul General in HCM City Daniel Stork (L) at the opening show of the AVIFW 2022. — Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC