Mix&Match - A new hallmark of Do Manh Cuong

With each show, designer Do Manh Cuong transforms himself into a book, each page containing new and fascinating things, always leading people to unfamiliar lands of endless creativity. Each journey adds a new stroke to the canvas of his career, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of his audience and fashion enthusiasts.

Responding to the expectations of the audience and fashion enthusiasts, designer Do Manh Cuong's Mix&Match show, held on the evening of December 27th at the SECC International Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, satisfied viewers with three segments featuring over 140 designs.

Recreating the French Quarter on the runway.

At each stage, Do Manh Cuong seems to transport the audience to a new and unfamiliar land. Therefore, when the space is still enveloped in the mysterious black of the velvet curtain covering the stage, everyone can't help but anticipate and eagerly await the show.

The stage was a multi-billion VND investment. To recreate the old town atmosphere, the producers invested heavily in purchasing wood and designing details to resemble real buildings. Ten trucks were mobilized to transport materials to the performance site to build the show's scenery.

After the curtain was pulled back, hundreds of audience members were astonished to see a poetic corner of Hanoi's old town, bathed in vibrant yellow and green hues, yet imbued with the charm of time and its distinctive antiquity. The two-story street was a life-sized replica of French architecture in Hanoi. The realistic and vivid depiction of the street was created by a team of 10 artists.

The stage is a recreation of old Hanoi in the heart of Saigon, and the cool atmosphere of the year-end days further enhances the captivating emotions. This is also a touch of Do Manh Cuong's nostalgia for a Parisian sky that remains in his memory, ancient yet always vibrant.

The catwalk, over 70 meters long, mimics the old sidewalks with their original stone paving. Lighting is strategically placed to create depth and vibrancy in the streetscape. At times, viewers feel as if they are immersed in the heart of the old town on a peaceful night, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Against this backdrop, each element of Mix&Match emerges with distinct lines, layers, and nuances, all rendered with even greater intensity and richness.

Dress stylishly through various combinations.

In every show, Do Manh Cuong consistently demonstrates his pioneering spirit in many aspects. Opening with the Mix&Match segment, for the first time, a designer demonstrated how to mix and match outfits right on the runway. This initiative stemmed from the specific needs of each guest, seeking to diversify their fashion and beauty styles.

Do Manh Cuong also hopes that you can understand that an outfit is not just for wearing once, but also has the potential to enrich your wardrobe. Through this, people's dressing style becomes less monotonous and boring, and they can gain more knowledge about fashion.

To realize this idea, Do Manh Cuong chose 5 items including: skirts, tops, flared dresses, and trench coats for men and women to mix and match in various ways. These styles can be elegant and modest, or youthful, dynamic, alluring, and captivating.

The outfits bear the distinct mark of the Autumn-Winter season, characterized by the combination of multiple layers and various materials of different thicknesses, based on neutral tones such as black, white, and gray. Versatility remains a key feature; these suggestions can accompany women to many places in their daily lives. Do Manh Cuong's strengths in tailoring, pattern creation, and cut-and-sewn craftsmanship are clearly demonstrated in these designs.

Accompanying the outfits were expensive designer accessories from Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more. This has also been a key requirement for Do Manh Cuong's clients over the years. Throughout the three parts of the show, Do Manh Cuong showcased an accessory collection worth over 30 billion VND on stage.

H'Hen Niê delivered a successful and convincing opening and closing performance, radiating boundless energy. Meanwhile, Lê Thuý and Lê Xuân Tiền impressed with their boldly styled outfits. Võ Hoàng Yến maintained her passion with graceful strides. Other performers in this segment included: Thuỳ Trang, Lê Thanh Thảo, Hằng Nguyễn, Thuỳ Dương, Lâm Thu Hằng...

The allure of vibrant pink

Following the muted color palette, Mix&Match is enlivened by 30 pink designs in various shades, diverse in form, material, and structure. This is the color Do Manh Cuong is promoting this holiday season, and he believes it can completely dominate in the coming time.

The color pink is transformed into countless forms, creating a fascinating journey that leaves viewers in awe. While vibrant pink paired with black creates a harmonious balance between light and dark shades, deep pink with metallic finishes captivates with its striking and alluring appeal. Meanwhile, pastel pink or fresh peach tones in designs crafted from soft silk chiffon evoke a gentle, poetic, and romantic feeling in fashion lovers.

The color pink can win over any girl, from strong and modern to traditional and demure. For a stroll around town, you can find skirts paired with tops and a charming jacket, while for parties, Do Manh Cuong offers figure-hugging dresses that accentuate curves or flowing, seductive long gowns. And most importantly, Do Manh Cuong uses pink to blur the lines between men's and women's fashion. A pink trench coat paired with black clothing underneath still provides a sophisticated yet incredibly attractive look for men.

Do Manh Cuong used a wide variety of materials such as tweed, chiffon, silk, voile, lace, and imported brocade, allowing the color pink to be everywhere and shaped into many different forms and styles. Besides floral patterns, striped designs were also brought back by Do Manh Cuong. A highlight in this section is the use of soft fur, incorporated into tops, skirts, or arranged along curves, creating an unforgettable charm for viewers. Without any hint of alcohol, the 30 outfits in various shades of pink truly captivated the audience, leaving them in a delightful state of intoxication.

In this section, in addition to classic bags from prestigious brands like Kelly Hermes, Hermes Birkin, Gucci, Chanel, Dior..., Do Manh Cuong used a series of clutches and earrings with unique and unusual designs to accentuate the collection. Louboutin red-soled shoes further enhanced the allure of each design; just looking at them makes it hard to resist.

Bao Khuyen