If you’ve been following Matron of Style on Insta or FB, you know how busy, yet exciting it has been for me this past weekend covering Viet Fashion Week 2016.
Your girl has attended New York Fashion Week before (eons ago when it was still held at Bryant Park), so I definitely had an idea of what madness to expect. Though on a smaller scale, Viet Fashion Week still packed a punch! I arrived to a clad of Little Saigon socialites eagerly making use of the press wall (or step-and-repeat) for photo ops and could already vibe with the excitement the event had conjured. I observed, smiled warmly and quietly applauded Runway Entertainment’s team and the effort they all put forth behind the event.
Once armed with my press pass and photographer for the day, Kevin T Photography, we entered the reception area. Sponsors proudly displayed branding of products and services ranging from libations to nail products—c’mon we’re Vietnamese here! Elevated excitement, higher energy and a sea of bodies filled the room, but we quickly had to move on to secure our places for the main event still to come.
The line up for Day 1—feels like I’m talking about a festival lineup haha—included:
- Son Collection, Vietnam
- Yvon Lux, Orange CA
- Jacky Tai, Westminster, CA
- Calvin Hiep, Westminster, CA
Son Collection is brand-recognized throughout Vietnam. Luong Minh Son traveled halfway around the world arriving three days before the show to prep his collection. It consisted of cocktail dresses, evening gowns and the traditional Vietnamese dress, ao dai. All garments were hand sewn and utilizes luxe silks embellished with crystal trimmings. Of all the looks that went down the catwalk, these were my top fave:
After a brief intermission, Yvon Nguyen of Yvon Lux was on deck to debut her ready-to-wear, proFASHIONal (professional + fashionable) collection. Appropriately called, ‘Like a Boss,’ the collection consists of separates, suiting and occasion. Personally, I’d wear these in real life…prepare the closet!
Ms Yvon Nguyen herself in her own design
After another intermission, the real bread and butter of MOS’ presence at Viet Fashion Week was ready for its curtain call. Glam Hair & Make-up Artist turned Designer, Jacky Tai, got me sitting up real straight, tall and peering over heads anticipating his bridal collection.
Now, stay calm, this is just a prelude of what’s to come Summer 2016 as he opens up his OC bridal boutique with custom-made services for gowns and bridal ao dai’s. Here are a few of my jaw dropping faves:
Pretty, pretty, no? Jacky’s beautiful collection definitely got oohs, aahs and wows out of me. After he showed, I was pretty much content with the entire evening! What an absolute amazing start to this year’s Viet Fashion Week!
I began contemplating whether or not to wrap up the night at this point because the next designer, Calvin Hiep—a household name around these here streets of Little Saigon—was showing a collection of avant garde ao dai’s; avant garde meaning unusual or experimental. I wasn’t quite sure how you gals would feel about seeing a collection that host, Roxanne Chow, called, “bold, exotic, ostentatious and innovative” here on Matron of Style.
Well, let me tell you how I felt about HYP Fashion & Beauty’s ‘Dripping Gold’ collection after it walked: MIND. BLOWING.
Honey, if you’re a unicorn at heart and not so much a dragon or pheonix, get yourself a light-up khan dong (Vietnamese turban) for your wedding! Then make sure you hit me up so I can feature you! Yaaasssss!
Stay with me all week as I will drop one designer’s full collection daily!
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Photography: Kevin T Photography
Production: Runway Entertainment
Venue: Westminster Mall | Westminster, CA
[…] More about Calvin Hiep’s collection from Matron of Style’s VFW 2016 Day 1 recap here. […]