International spotlight on Vietnam’s fashion industry at RMIT Vietnam event

Tiếng Việt

International spotlight on Vietnam’s fashion industry at RMIT Vietnam event

Vietnam’s fashion industry is in the spotlight this week at a major industry event attracting more than 300 local and international fashion experts to RMIT Vietnam.

The Producing Fashion: Made in Vietnam event is part of the global Fashion Colloquia series being held at RMIT Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City campus from 5-7 July.

“The event provides a space where key academics and industry people from around the world can converge to explore the future of the fashion and textiles industry,” said Professor Robyn Healy, Head of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.

“The focus is on exploring the relationship between Vietnam and the world, placing a spotlight on design, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and the importance of a ‘making-economy’ in the global fashion industry.”

Vietnamese experts involved include Tran Nguyen Thien Huong, the chair of Sun Flower Media which owns Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam; fashion show director Tran Thien Ha Mi who served as brand manager for Vietnam's ELLE Magazine; and designer Sy Hoang who recently designed an ao dai for First Lady Michelle Obama on the occasion of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam.

Professor Robyn Healy, RMIT Vietnam President Professor Gael McDonald, Head of the Fashion Department Victoria Ho, and Head of Centre of Communication and Design Professor Rick Bennett at the start of the Fashion Colloquia in HCMC.

Australian Consul-General to Ho Chi Minh City Ms Karen Lanyon said the Australian Government is proud to partner with RMIT to bring this international fashion initiative to Vietnam, showcasing Australia’s strengths in fashion and design education.

“We are delighted to be able to connect Australia’s creative talent to the world through local events like this and to nurture links between the Australian fashion industry and our overseas partners,” Ms Lanyon said.

Australian Consul-General to Ho Chi Minh City Ms Karen Lanyon speaks at the opening of the Fashion Colloquia.

Head of the Fashion Department at RMIT Vietnam, Victoria Ho, said this is a unique event which brings to Vietnam international experts such as Professor Ian King and Professor Jose Teunissen from the London College of Fashion, and Professor Robyn Healy, who are all speaking on expert panels.

“Holding Fashion Colloquia in HCMC gives us the opportunity to analyse the current state of play, enhancing registrants’ understanding of the industry and future opportunities.

“This will further serve to enrich the Vietnamese fashion industry.”

Professor Ian King (centre in black) from the London College of Fashion attends a session on day one of the "Producing Fashion: Made in Vietnam" event.

On day one of the three-day event, participants examine the opportunities for Vietnam as an emerging creative economy. Day two is Industry Day, devoted to exploring aspects of manufacturing in Vietnam. The final day of the event looks towards the future and asks how emerging designers in Vietnam can be supported.

The Fashion Colloquia will benefit RMIT Vietnam and RMIT Melbourne students, connecting them to prominent members of the flourishing fashion industry in Vietnam and to internationally renowned fashion academics, and assisting students to understand their future roles in the local and global fashion industry.

The Fashion Colloquia series, beginning in 2011, originated with a core network of four institutions connected by their involvement in the four big 'Fashion Weeks' across the globe: the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London; Domus Academy, Milan; Institute Francais de la Mode, Paris; and Parsons The New School of Design, School of Fashion, New York.

Further information on the Fashion Colloquia can be found here.

Story: Sharon Webb

Communication and design

05 July 2016