The student duo, Chu Khanh Vy from Hanoi’s University of Industrial Fine Art, and Nicola Luey from Auckland University of Technology won the first prize worth NZ$2,000 at the first New Zealand-Vietnam Fashion Collaboration project at the Caravelle Hotel in HCMC’s District 1 last week.

Chu Khanh Vy (R) from Hanoi’s University of Industrial Fine Art, and Nicola Luey from Auckland University of Technology are winners of the first New Zealand-Vietnam Fashion Collaboration project which was held last week in HCMC’s District 1.

The duo said their designs were inspired by brocade costumes of ethnic minority people in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam and the flax tree of New Zealand. The tree’s leaves can be used for traditional weaving. Their collection reflects the life and emotion of people in two different countries.

Chu Khanh Vy told the Daily that this was her first participation in a fashion contest. She expects to launch her own brand in near future.

Second and third prizes went to duo Brendon Lee and Vo Kim Ngoc, and duo Tia Feng and Chung Hung Khai. A judging panel which consisted of New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Haike Manning, Kiwi fashion designer Tamsin Cooper, New Zealand Embassy’s Honorary Tourism Envoy in Vietnam Jennifer Pham, and Tung Leo, fashion mentor and head producer of Vietnam’s Project Runway 2014-2015 selected the winners among 20 finalists. Steven Joyce, New Zealand’s Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, was an honorable guest at the event.

The project featured 40 unique designs themed “Giao Thoa” (Fusion). Previously, 20 students were picked from six of the top fashion schools in New Zealand and Vietnam including HCMC School of Architecture, Hanoi University of Industrial Arts, Otago Polytechnic, Massey University, Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design and Auckland University of Technology. They defeated hundreds of candidates from fashion schools in the two countries to participate in the project.

This event was the sixth major activity organized by the New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam this year to celebrate 40 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between New Zealand and Vietnam, with a number of activities still remaining for 2015.