Lao Fashion Week 2018 Kicks Off With Night Party

Source: Vientiane Times

A Night Party to kick off Lao Fashion Week 2018 and celebrate the fifth anniversary of the sparkling event attracted a glitzy crowd of people involved in the world of fashion.

Lao and foreign officials, Lao celebrities, models, designers, sponsors and special guests attended the Night Party to celebrate the special occasion and the growth of the fashion scene in Laos.

Lao Fashion Week runs until September 14 at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane and features a range of collections and styles from both Lao and foreign designers.

The Founder and CEO of Lao Fashion Week and the Lao Young Designer Project, Ms Pany Saignavongs, said Lao Fashion Week has become known as a prestigious international fashion event.

This year it features more than 50 participating designers including more than 30 leading designers from other countries, who will showcase their special collections.

Lao Fashion Week was not just about glamour and fame, but took into account Laos’ developing nation status by launching the humanitarian programmes Fashion for a Good Cause, and Fashion for All, Ms Pany said.

These two programmes seek to work with people with disabilities by arranging for vocational training by various organisations to reassure them of their talents, capabilities, social acceptance and independence.

Over the years, Laos Fashion Week has formed strong partnerships and close collaboration with various international counterparts, such as the esteemed ESMOD International School of Fashion and Business in Paris, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ School of Design in Singapore, London College of Fashion Design in Hanoi, Fashion Institute of Philippines in Manila, Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Manila Fashion Festival, leading fashion houses in Bangkok, and many more, Ms Pany said.

In addition to developing the fashion industry in Laos, the Lao Young Designers Project has sent budding Lao designers to study at acclaimed international fashion academies each year, she added.

Many of them have returned home after having the experience of a lifetime and have since created their own fashion labels and become up-and-coming fashion designers.

Before the Lao Young Designers Project, becoming a professional fashion designer was just a dream for young hopefuls in Laos, but the Lao Young Designers Project has made young people realise that nothing is impossible so long as they have the will and courage to succeed, and are given opportunities.

“We are proud to have helped young talents pursue their dream,” Ms Pany said.

From very humble beginnings to celebrating its 5th anniversary, Lao Fashion Week has achieved a milestone by becoming the most important player in the Lao fashion scene.

“We are proud to have put Laos on the international fashion map as well as making Laos part of the international fashion family and we look forward to sustainable development and long-standing partnerships with our local and international counterparts,” she added.

At the Night Party, the partnership of the Lao Young Designers Project and Lao Fashion Week expressed their appreciation at helping young Lao designers to pursue their dreams.

Ms Pany thanked everyone involved for helping Lao Fashion Week and the Lao Young Designers Project to succeed, as well as partners and sponsors for helping to popularise the fashion week.
The Night Party featured a mini-fashion show with a special collection, turning the event into a colourful

and enjoyable spectacle.