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| The Ao dai Festival is a unique art program, expressed through the languages of fashion, music, singing, and dancing |
On the magnificent stage by the bank of the Huong River, the stunning ao dai collections from various designers and brands were showcased in a romantic and poetic manner, like the autumn of Hue.
“Linh Phung” is the theme of the Ao dai Art Program - Hue Festival 2024, within the framework of the Autumn Festival. The program brought together designers and brands from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue, including Vu Viet Ha, Quang Huy, Duc VinCie, Huu La La, Tran Thien Khanh, Quang Hoa, Viet Bao, Xuan Hao, Doan Trang, Cam Sa, La Mua, and Ve Mien Huong Ngu, etc.
In Vietnamese culture, the image of the Phung (phoenix) appeared very early, being a particularly symbolic image. The phoenix has become a familiar theme in the traditional architecture, sculpture, and decoration of the nation. Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, the Head of Content of Hue Festival 2024, shared that a very beautiful image often seen in Hue court decoration is a phoenix perching on the Firmiana simplex tree. From traditional art, the dragon - phoenix mascots have entered Hue court art, symbolizing the opening up and the aspiration for a peaceful and prosperous society.
According to the General Director of the Ao dai Festival, Mr. Le Quang Tu, the designers are inspired by the image of “phoenix” in the architectural decoration and royal costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty, combining with the beauty of modern Vietnamese ao dai. “The legendary story of the phoenix has been brought into life, on the gentle ao dai, with the most delicate and romantic features,” he said.
Having been associated with Hue since the very first Festivals, Vu Viet Ha, the designer from Hanoi, brought the collection named “Bach phung cat tuong”, with details adapted from the patterns on the ancient costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty, using mainly silk as the material. The motif, depicting hundreds of phoenixes flying, perching, and dancing..., is embroidered by hand in the traditional way. “The idea that I convey through each design is the happiness, peace, and best wishes from the hundred phoenixes,” said the designer Vu Viet Ha.
With passion and a distinct style, Quang Hoa, the designer, brought a unique collection of the five-panel ao dai, named “Phung tuong van and Phung chầu nhat nguyet chau”. With the desire to contribute to positioning Hue's tourism and culture through the image of ao dai, the designs by Dang Viet Bao, the ao dai artisan, are inspired by folk paintings, courtly art motifs, and fine art. He prints and dyes himself, so as to create many ao dai designs bearing Hue's unique cultural identity. “Phung vu ngo dong and Phung hoang trieu phuc” is the name of his ao dai collection presented to the public, with the meaningful blessing of “Phuc am ngan doi cay tro loc/ Duc day muon thuo nhanh dom hoa” (meaning “Thousands of years of blessings, the trees sprout luck/ Thousands of years of virtue, the branches bloom.”)
Known as a designer with collections bearing the mark of Hue, Xuan Hao always leverages traditional materials to “breathe life” into his works, reviving seemingly forgotten traditional crafts. “Phung hoang minh hi”, the collection, draws inspiration from the proud and elegant image of the phoenixes perching on the vermilion roofs of the Dien Tho Palace and Truong Sanh Palace. His designs follow a contemporary Pop Art style, youthful, combined with bold and fresh color blocks to create a vibrant and modern aesthetic. Every pattern and image arrangement depicts the fantastical beauty of the phoenix...
From the premium natural materials and the delicate touch of skilled artisans, 12 ao dai collections, being introduced to the public this time, deeply imbued with the cultural beauty of Hue and the Vietnamese soul. “The message we want to convey is to love the ao dai even more. Love the traditional cultural features, preserve and develop it every day,” said Mr. Le Quang Tu, the General Director.