BUV students’ fashion show stuns the ‘Fashion Mogul’

Four segments of the show vividly illustrate Hanoi’s cultural and historical tapestry, featuring fashion designs inspired by its architecture, people, and enduring stories.

In early June, the “52” Fashion Show organised by the BUV Fashion Club took centre stage on campus. The event featured many prominent figures from Vietnam’s fashion and music scenes, boasting a large-scale and professionally managed affair backed by numerous major enterprises. 

“52” draws its inspiration from the intersection of Hanoi’s adoration and the creative yearnings of its youth. The number 52 symbolises the juxtaposition and reflection of tradition and modernity, artfully interwoven into both men’s and women’s collections. 

Four fashion segments vividly portray Hanoi’s cultural and historical interweaving through fashion designs inspired by its architecture, people, and timeless tales. 

 The “52” Fashion Show organised by the BUV Fashion Club 

Chapter 1 – “Hanoi’s Land” reimagines the unique architectural and cultural beauty of old Hanoi, the intersection of tradition and modernity creating a city steeped in nostalgia. Following the beauty of “physical elements,” the beauty of “literary elements” is celebrated in Chapter 2 – “Old Hanoi,” depicting the profound cultural and ethical values of ancient Hanoians, honoring the standards of “Cong – Dung – Ngon – Hanh ” (“Hardworking, Beautiful, Well-spoken and Well-behaved”) for women, and “Tam – Cuong – Ngu – Thuong ” (“Three moral bonds, Five cardinal virtues”) for men. 

Chapter 3 – “Hanoi Then” recreates the glorious historical moments of Hanoi through resilient resistance battles and the daily life of people in the capital. The final chapter, “Hanoi Today,” takes the audience from the difficult era to changes in the 90s, the innovation, and the dynamism of today’s young Hanoi generation, along with the awareness to preserve core values.    

The entire show was a captivating journey through time, whisking the audience away to rediscover the nostalgic essence of Hanoi, steeped in millennia of culture, or offering a fresh lens on ancient Hanoi for Gen Z. On the runway, many uniquely conceived, and beautifully executed designs delivered delightful surprises to the guests. 

Speaking at the event, Ms. Trang Le, Founder and Chairwoman of Vietnam International Fashion Week, lauded the creative and exceptional pieces showcased in the collections, particularly praising the meticulous organisation and scale of the BUV students’ event, which rivaled professional large-scale affairs. 

“A year ago, when faced with the decision of whether to send my daughter to study in the UK after high school, we opted to stay in Vietnam and choose BUV. Here, my daughter benefits from an education in a British environment close to home, alongside the invaluable values of practical learning and early engagement. Today, witnessing firsthand the spirit and capabilities of my daughter and her peers, I am convinced that our decision was absolutely right,” Ms. Trang Le remarked. 

Photo of Ms. Trang Le & Designer Duc Hung: Ms. Trang Le (second from the left) and Designer Duc Hung (second from the right) take a commemorative photo with Mr. Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV (far right) 

Sharing his thoughts, designer Duc Hung commented, “Despite being born and raised in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, there were many intricate details I overlooked, which the students have astutely identified and celebrated in their fashion designs. This genuinely makes me go ‘wow’ and deeply admire the creativity of these young talents.” 

Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, acknowledged that while the university does not currently offer a specialised fashion programme, this impressive show is the culmination of collaborative efforts by students from diverse fields such as Marketing, Business, and Event Management. It splendidly showcases the dynamism and versatility of BUV students. 

Here are some notable designs presented in the “52” Fashion Show: 

Quoc Ngu script in the form of bas-reliefs or raised alphabet characters from the signage of ancient shops in Hanoi are delicately heat-printed on beige aprons.

Details of vaulted roofs and tiled roofs of the Thang Long Four Quadrangle, featuring the four temples of Bach Ma, Voi Phuc, Kim Lien, and Quan Thanh, are artistically stylised.

The distinctive colours of many of the 36 streets and guilds, such as the red and pink shades of Hang Dao Street or the navy blue of Hang Bong Street, create captivating highlights on the garments.

In ancient Vietnamese, “su” in Lo Su means robes, once a street specialising in selling coffins. The unique characteristics of this street are elegantly translated into the off-white designs.

Designs inspired by Nguyen Trai’s “Giao Huan Ca” depict the character “Ngon” in women’s conduct through speech, combining soft lines and lightweight taffeta fabric for a graceful flow.

Many designs blend traditional ethnic values with contemporary trends and sensibilities.

Inspired by the women’s defensive attire from President Ho Chi Minh’s call to national resistance in 1946.

Weddings in the 1990s saw innovations compared to the austerity era, with brides in ao dai or wedding gowns and grooms in formal Western-style suits.

Designs inspired by the cries of newborn babies from maternity homes on Ngo Quyen Street and maternity homes on Lo Duc Street in the post-liberation years.

Amid the modern era, BUV students imaginatively conceive future wedding attire with designs that transcend traditional gender distinctions.