Designer Phuong My's Japanese-inspired show concluded VIFW 2016 in a spectacular fashion.

At the opening of the show, a circular red curtain, mimicking the red sun, was raised high, recreating the moment of sunrise over Japan. Female dancers unexpectedly appeared and performed lively, joyful dances that captivated the audience. Their dances instantly transported the viewers to the magical and shimmering world of Japan – one of the places that receives the first rays of dawn. Designer Phuong My's collection was divided into three different parts, each with its own source of inspiration.

Dyeing the stage in the red and white colors of the Japanese flag, designer Phuong My introduced her "Pristine" collection, reflecting her appreciation for the pristine moments of nature and representing the metaphorical image of the delicate and pure beauty within each woman.

To bring the "Pristine" collection to its fullest potential, the wooden clogs were purchased from Japan, and the paper umbrellas were imported directly from abroad and hand-painted. Notably, with each step the models took on the catwalk, cheerful jingling bells were subtly hidden beneath each pair of clogs.

All the decorative details are blurred on the garments, like a nostalgic recollection filled with the yearning to find the purest beauty. Depicting the transformation of space and time, designer Phuong My uses red and orange, symbolizing the warmth of the sun, combined with the cool gray tones of night mist, or the green hues of plants. Dark blue blends with the blue of the sky, or ivory white intertwines with gray, representing the changing landscape, subtly depicting the different facets of a woman's personality—sometimes strong, sometimes vulnerable.

The cleverly designed upper and lower body structures, with their contrasting proportions of fitted and voluminous silhouettes, contribute to the ideal hourglass figure. Furthermore, the garments are embellished with pleats, slanted cuts, and ruffles, adding vibrant accents. The neckline – a key highlight of the collection – is kept simple throughout by designer Phuong My, offering three options: round, strapless, and boat neck.

Always at the forefront of applying the most advanced weaving techniques, designer Phuong My introduced five fabrics suitable for the specific design characteristics of the garments throughout the "Pristine" collection. These included delicate mesh fabric for evening gowns, silk fabric with subtle cherry blossom patterns, embossed wool fabric with water motifs, and a silk-wool blend creating a subtle, raised leaf pattern effect. All materials were woven in-house before being designed and cut. This process ensures the fabric's volume and drape without excessive tufting or folding, maintaining the perfect hourglass silhouette of the designs.

To conclude the show, supermodel Thu Hang stepped out in a gown made from 150 meters of mesh fabric adorned with sparkling Swarovski crystals, just as the symbol of the rising sun appeared behind her, evoking the feeling of a beautiful dawn, bringing the breath of a new day to everything.

The Thanh