Dang Thi Tra My, a young and promising Vietnamese fashion designer, triumphed over nearly 50 contestants to clinch the championship in the prestigious "Fashion in Paris" contest on Friday.

Her exquisite "Motherland" collection, blending Vietnamese tradition with elegant fashion, dazzled both judges and spectators at the French Consulate General Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.

Organized by the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, “Fashion in Paris” is a competition dedicated to nurturing emerging talents in the Vietnamese fashion industry and celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of strategic partnership between France and Vietnam.

The “Motherland” collection cleverly combines the traditional cultural features of Vietnam such as ao dai, turban, images of rice fields, lotus flowers… with the elegant and liberal style of French fashion. Photo: H.Vy / Tuoi Tre

The contest attracted nearly 50 contestants from all over Vietnam who submitted their designs online.

The top seven finalists earned the opportunity to showcase their creations in front of a panel of esteemed judges, including Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, the French consul general in Ho Chi Minh City; Emmanuelle Charrier, the director of the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City; Lucas Delattre from Institut Francais de la Mode; Tran Nguyen Thien Huong, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam magazine and haute-couture designer Hoang Hai.

Inspired by cherished memories of her hometown and her beloved grandmother in Hanoi, Dang Thi Tra My’s “Motherland” collection featured vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and elegant silhouettes that blended Vietnamese tradition with modern fashion.

Her conceptual story and sophisticated designs captivated the jury, but it was her commitment to sustainability that set her apart.

Young designer Nguyen Nhat Nghi presented her “Flower Season” collection to the jury of Fashion in Paris. Photo: H.Vy / Tuoi Tre

Using materials from recycled sources such as plastic bottles, fabric scraps, and bamboo fibers, Tra My, a graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, emphasized the importance of sustainable fashion and creating art that resonates with the ecosystem.

Tra My strongly believes that fashion is a powerful language for raising environmental awareness and expressing gratitude to the homeland from the perspective of a nature-loving young person.

As the winner of the “Fashion in Paris” contest, Tra My will enjoy a sponsored training trip to Paris in 2024, organized by the prestigious Institut Francais de la Mode.

The second prize went to Nguyen Nhat Nghi for her “Flower Season” collection, which gave new life to old costumes and incorporated the national flower of France, the iris. Nghi views sustainable fashion as both a trend and a responsibility for young designers, allowing them to express their cultural perspectives and contribute to society.

The third prize was shared by two talented designers: Pham Dao Khanh Duy and L.

Pham Dao Khanh Duy’s collection, titled “How Can We Forget It”, represents the connection between clothes and people, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing clothing life cycles and promoting sustainable fashion.

Model H’Ang Nie performed a design in the Luom collection of designer L. Photo: H.Vy / Tuoi Tre

The second third prize went to L., who was born and raised in the Central Highlands, showcased a journey from Ba Na village to Paris in his collection, called “Luom Collection - Paris Olympics - Let’s Go!”. He breathed new life into clothes sent by friends, creating a fusion of ethnic and urban styles.

In addition to the grand prize, the top three finalists of “Fashion in Paris” will display their collections to the public at the “Fashion Night - Nuit de la Mode” event on Saturday at Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

This remarkable contest not only spotlights emerging talents in the Vietnamese fashion industry but also encourages a shift towards sustainable fashion, celebrating the fusion of French and Vietnamese cultures.

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