Twenty fashion designers from Vietnam and around the world are showcasing their collections at the Vietnam International Fashion Week 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event, which is in its second year, is held by Multimedia JSC in collaboration with FIDé Fashion Weeks and the Asian Couture Federation, with the participation of eight famous designers and their brands from France, Italy, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and 12 local peers.

Opening on Wednesday, the event aims to become a bridge between Vietnamese designers and the world’s fashion industry, Le Thi Quynh Trang, general director Multimedia JSC, said.

“We believe that through the Vietnam International Fashion Week, the world will have a new perspective on the potential Vietnamese fashion market,” she added.

Given positive feedback after it was first held last year, the 2015 fashion week is scheduled to have 20 shows featuring around 200 professional models from October 14 to 18.

Tickets for the event sell at VND500,000 (US$22.32) for normal places and VND1 million ($45) for VIP seats. Last year, tickets were distributed free of charge.

The ticket sale blows fresh air into the industry, as most fashion shows in Vietnam have had their tickets released for free.

“The Vietnam International Fashion Week 2014 was very successful in elevating the position of Vietnamese fashion in the global arena,” Frank Cintamani, FIDé Fashion Week founder and Asian Couture Federation chairman, commented.

Big names 

One of the highlights of the event is a show featuring 92-year-old legendary Italian designer Renato Balestra.

His show at the Vietnam International Fashion Week 2015 will be one of his last before retiring.

Other notables include French designers Julien Fournié, Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov, famous Indonesian evening gown designer Sebastian Gunawan, Australian Alvin Fernandez, Ezra Santos from Dubai, and Japanese bridal dress designer Yumi Katsura.

At the age of 87, Katsura is the incumbent head of several organizations such as the Federation of Asia & Pacific Bridal Associations, The Japan Bridal Association, Yumi Katsura International Co. Ltd., and Katsura Yumi Wedding System Co. Ltd.

French designer Julien Fournié (L), who had his works featured in the opening show of the Vietnam International Fashion Week 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Multimedia

Young Vietnamese shine

This year’s fashion week has been considered a playground for young local designers to shine.

One of the most awaited names is Phuong My, who had her collections showcased in the opening show of the event.

“I think this is the right time to have a debut show,” said My, who has risen to fame during the past two years but has not had any official show in Vietnam.

“This is also a show that deserves to have me put all my heart in,” she added.

The Vietnam International Fashion Week 2015 also sees the participation of numerous emerging names in the local fashion industry, including Thuy Nguyen, Hoang Minh Ha, Ly Giam Tien, Vincent Doan, Li Lam, Giao Linh, Adrian Anh Tuan, Nguyen Quang Viet, Chau Chan Hung, and Victoria Huyen Nguyen.

The event is slated to showcase a special combination between two Vietnamese designers, Hoang Minh Ha and Ly Giam Tien, together with their couture French colleagues Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov.

The gala night of the Vietnam International Fashion Week 2015 will be broadcast live at 8:00 pm on October 18 on the national broadcaster’s VTV3 channel.