I Dreamed A Dream - Chung Thanh Phong's high-class fashion game.

This collection is inspired by a girl's dream of fairytale dresses becoming reality on her wedding day. Chung Thanh Phong chose the image of butterflies to depict this fashion dream, aligning with the global trend. From 2022 to the present, butterflies – a characteristic image in fashion of the 2000s – have been making a comeback, taking the fashion world by storm. This beautiful insect also embodies the fairycore style – one of the exciting trends of this summer, stemming from a desire for a gentle, peaceful life in harmony with nature.

The show was divided into two parts: the first part featured designs that were both feminine and edgy, aimed at modern brides; the second part was a playful exploration of classic gowns, showcasing boundless creativity and elaborate embellishment techniques, striving for surreal and luxurious beauty. To enhance the elegance and exclusivity, he collaborated with jewelry designer Three Trees, marking the first time a collection of high-end diamonds was dedicated exclusively to wedding dresses.

Set to music composed by Trang Phap, the models gracefully walked the runway in princess gowns, mermaid dresses, shift dresses, and A-line dresses. The highlight throughout the show was the butterfly motif, meticulously handcrafted by Chung Thanh Phong Bridal's team of skilled artisans, with each high-end gown taking hundreds of hours to complete.

Using techniques such as draping, 3D floral embellishments, shaping corsets, 3D printing, laser-cut butterfly wings from sequin pieces, and beaded lily-of-the-valley flower designs, the outfits become figure-flattering, glamorous, and eye-catching, making onlookers turn their heads. To enhance the impact, the designer uses fabrics imported from Italy, including liquid metallic fabrics with a glossy and soft, water-like effect (also known as water fabric), organza, mesh voile, lace, satin, and metallic.

Chung Thanh Phong spent six months conceptualizing and completing the collection. The show showcased the designer's class and daring approach by applying the latest technologies to create three completely different experiential spaces. He became the first Vietnamese designer to transform a red carpet space into a bullet-time studio, creating a fantastical AI effect for the videos.

Bullet time is a visual illusion that makes viewers feel as if the people and scenery around them are motionless, and only the camera is rotating around the subject, as if time is slowing down. This effect was first applied in the 1999 film The Matrix, achieving such great success that the term bullet time has been used to refer to this effect ever since.

Chung Thanh Phong is also the first Vietnamese designer to have a runway set up in a five-star resort. Previously, other fashion houses were usually only allowed to utilize the existing space of the resort to launch their collections because setting up a stage could affect the resort's landscape.

Furthermore, he was the first Vietnamese designer to entertain guests with a nearly 10-minute drone show over Da Nang to thank 140 VIPs at the post-show reception. At exactly 9:15 PM, 400 drones appeared in the sky amidst the excited cheers of the audience. The spectacular performance concluded with the words "Deeply Thankful."

Special models in the show

Runner-up and supermodel Hoang Thuy was invited by Chung Thanh Phong to be the First Face in his show. The beauty brought overwhelming emotions to the audience when she opened the show in a white butterfly-shaped gown. The 10 kg gown was made from 3D structured mesh fabric, adorned with crystals mimicking dewdrops on butterfly wings, and randomly attached with fishing line to create a transparent effect. Her graceful, confident strides, well-timed pauses and emphasis, combined with her refined expressions, once again demonstrated that Hoang Thuy remains the most beautiful catwalk supermodel in Vietnamese fashion.

Cinderella – Quyen Linh's daughter – became the highlight of the show. She played Cinderella from the fairy tale, rushing home after the midnight clock struck midnight, then reappearing in a princess gown adorned with pure white feathers. The design used various types of feathers, each hand-stitched to create a light and airy effect. The 18-year-old's performance conveyed the meaning of fairy tale dreams becoming reality in everyday life. Chung Thanh Phong said: “Cinderella possesses a pure and innocent beauty like a princess, perfectly matching the idea and direction I'm aiming for; she's the new muse in my next chapter.”

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Chung Thanh Phong held a high-end wedding dress show at a 5-star resort.

Experience InterContinental Da Nang

Cinderella revealed that to prepare for her first catwalk performance, she spent a week practicing in 15cm high heels. She felt nervous yet excited before the show, and then joyful and happy after completing her performance and receiving cheers from her fans.

Miss H'Hen Niê took on the role of vedette, playing the Butterfly Goddess, closing a beautiful dream to open a new chapter. She exuded a cool, aloof demeanor, wearing a dress and cape adorned with hand-stitched Swarovski crystals arranged in multiple layers of butterfly wings. The outfit took a month and a half to complete with eight artisans. The beauty queen paired the outfit with the "Halo of Dreams" necklace from the Three Trees collection, inspired by the magical beauty of the night sky with its countless twinkling stars in fairy tales. The design features over 460 lab-grown diamonds weighing over 470 carats, valued at 3.2 billion VND.

In addition, the show also featured appearances by Miss Ngoc Chau, Minh Tu, Miss Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, First Runner-up Huong Ly, Asian Supermodel Quynh Anh, and Second Runner-up Le Hang.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai