On the afternoon of September 20, the "Hello Cosmo from Vietnam" fashion show took place at Khe Coc Island, part of the scenic Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh.
This event is part of the Miss Cosmo 2024 competition, organized in collaboration with designer Le Thanh Hoa and director Long Kan.
Against the serene backdrop of nature, 56 contestants from around the world modeled unique designs from Le Thanh Hoa's Fall-Winter 2024 collection. This marks the first time a fashion show has been held in Trang An.
The show opened with the striking appearance of three beauty queens - H’hen Niê, Ngoc Chau, and Xuan Hanh -gliding on traditional wooden boats across the waters of Khe Coc.
Designer Le Thanh Hoa shared with VietNamNet that the performance was a way for Vietnam to extend a warm welcome to global friends.
The collection, a vibrant blend of traditional and modern elements, draws inspiration from Vietnamese culture. The designs showcased radiant beauty, symbolizing the fusion of Vietnam’s rich heritage with contemporary influences.
Le Thanh Hoa incorporated inspiration from Vietnam’s traditional craft villages and scenic landmarks, both promoting the beauty of the country and aligning with modern fashion trends.
Among the over 60 outfits, many featured iconic imagery from Vietnam’s rural landscape, including rice plants, lotus flowers, conical hats, and majestic mountains, all presented through the lens of high fashion.
Le Thanh Hoa noted that each design tells a story of bridging the past with the future, serving as a connection that preserves traditional values in a modern context.
Le Thanh Hoa used a blend of modern fabrics like velvet, taffeta, and chiffon, alongside traditional Ma Chau silk. His intricate handling of materials, combined with detailed techniques such as draping and quilting, added depth to the collection.
Other materials, like feathers and pleated organza, were dyed and woven to mimic the textures of caves, stalactites, and rippling waters - elements characteristic of Ninh Binh’s natural beauty.
The original stage, designed as a floating platform over water, was altered due to flooding caused by storms in Ninh Binh. Director Long Kan expressed his regret: "Our goal was to showcase the stunning natural beauty of Ninh Binh. However, I am pleased that the backup plan worked out well, achieving 70% of our expectations." Designer Le Thanh Hoa added, “This experience motivates us to better anticipate weather challenges for future events.”
The 56 contestants from Miss Cosmo 2024 impressed audiences with their charm and professional catwalk performances. Standout participants included representatives from the Philippines, Colombia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Peru.
Le Thanh Hoa noted that this was the first time his entire show featured beauty queens rather than professional models. Initially, some contestants struggled to adjust to the collection's spirit, but they quickly adapted and delivered performances that exceeded expectations.
After Ninh Binh, the next destination for Miss Cosmo 2024 is Da Lat, where contestants will showcase traditional ao dai attire and participate in cultural festivals of the Central Highlands. The grand finale is scheduled for October 5 in Ho Chi Minh City.
Minh Khoi - Duc Thang