A fashion event embodying the combination of Vietnam’s traditional long gown and India’s national costume was organized in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday.

The Ao Dai Saree Fashion Show was held at the Ao Dai Museum by the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event was sponsored by the Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (Texprocil), Synthetic and Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) and several Indian companies, the Consulate General said in a press release.

The fashion show was aimed at enhancing the understating of the beauty of the Vietnamese and Indian costumes, Ao Dai and Saree, as well as creating collaboration opportunities for fashion designers of the two countries.

It was attended by many eminent Vietnamese models, including Duc Hai, Le Quyen, and Mai Ngo, and winners of beauty pageants, namely Miss Universe Vietnam 2013 Truong Thi May.

The event featured the collection ‘Giao Thoa,’ literally translated as ‘Integration,’ by Vietnamese fashion designer Le Sy Hoang, which presented the Ao Dai sewed with Indian fabrics.

“India’s Saree has many different styles, one of which is similar to the Vietnamese Ao Dai,” Hoang talked about his inspiration for the collection.

Vietnam and India have a lot in common in terms of cultural, artistic, and esthetic values, the Vietnamese designer said.

A presentation of India’s Saree made with Vietnamese silk was also performed by models from the two nations.

“Today is a very special day, a day when we celebrate the fusion of creative energies of our two countries,” Smita Pant, Indian Consul General in Vietnam, said at the event.

Pant sent her credit to Hoang for his collection, before thanking him for designing the Saree that she was wearing.  

“Saree, which is handcrafted, hand-woven with the tradition of embroidery dating back centuries, is known not only for its colors and patterns but also for its durability and strength,” the Indian diplomat said.

The event was a cultural exchange and commercial opportunity in the area of fashion, Pant said, adding that with a strong emerging fashion-conscious middle class, India would offer a tremendous scope for Vietnamese designers to explore.

She encouraged Vietnamese designers to approach the Consulate General whenever they feel the need to explore the beauty of Indian fabrics, and called on retail fashion chains in both countries to cooperate with one another.

On the sidelines of the fashion show, Indian fabrics, Ao Dai designed with Indian fabrics, as well as Indian female and male dresses will be on display at the Ao Dai Museum from April 1 to June 30.

Indian costumes for men and women are displayed at the Ao Dai Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Consulate General of India

Ao Dai designed with Indian fabrics are displayed at the Ao Dai Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Consulate General of India

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!