A fashion show of leading Asian designers was kicked off to celebrate the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association’s (Vitas) joining of the Asian Fashion Federation (AFF) on November 22 in Hanoi.

The AFF was established in 2003 with the signing of an agreement between Japan, Korea and China in Tokyo. The agreement confirmed a co-operative effort between member countries to utilise fashion resources from within Asia as a means of adding value to fashion exports.

Member countries can only be represented by one organisation which has the potential and experience to conduct activities in the field of fashion promotion and development.

The 6th AFF Annual Meeting will be held in Ha Noi with all the country members of AFF attending the meeting. The events will provide a good trading platform for international fashion manufacturers to introduce their fashion products to AFF members and the Vietnamese market.

“Joining the AFF seemed to be beyond Viet Nam’s current abilities. But we have to try our best to catch up with the Asia fashion industry,” said Le Quoc An, chairman of the Vitas.

The show Asia Show will feature six collections by AFF’s member-designers including Japan Hidenabu Yasui; South Korean Choi Boko; Chinese Li Xao Yan; Singaporean Nic Wong; Thai Ek Thongprasert and Vietnamese Truong Anh Vu.

A collection from designer Thongprasert will focus on character of Asian fashion. The fashion industry in the Asia has been affected by European fashion trends, say the Thai designer.

Through the Asia Show, the designer wants to ask whether Asian designers will continue following European fashion or they innovate.

Truong Anh Vu will represent Vietnamese designers by debuting his collection to the AFF. Vu makes his collection from Vietnamese silk. It combines the quintessence of Vietnamese tradition with the beauty of the western.

Vu won the New Discovery prize at the Viet Nam Collection Grand Prix in 1999. He established The Line women’s wear brand name in 2005.

“Taking part in the Asia Show as a Vietnamese representative is significant for my career,” Vu said. “It’s my honour.” From a winner of the Viet Nam Collection Grand Prix ten years ago, Vu now is one member of the jury board in the semi-final round for this year’s Viet Nam Collection Grand Prix.

The winner of the Viet Nam Collection Grand Prix will be announced tonight at 7.30pm at Ha Noi’s Quan Ngua Sport Palace. The event will mark Viet Nam’s entry into the AFF. The event will mark Viet Nam’s entry into the AFF.

VNN/VNS