Fashion designer Dang Thi Minh Hanh has been selected for the ASEAN Selections 2016 Award in Thailand which preserves and promote folk arts and trades.

Fashion designer Dang Thi Minh Hanh

The ASEAN Selections is organised by Thailand's Queen Sirikit. A representative of the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups said they had submitted seven artists for the nomination after consulting with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and only Minh Hanh was selected by the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand.

In order to be chosen, the artists must have ASEAN member country nationality, over five years of experiences in textiles, clothing and pattern designing and the nominated works must follow the theme of innovative craft of textiles in ASEAN.

Hanh said she was delighted to be selected as Vietnam representative and also thinks this was a chance to introduce Vietnam's culture and identity at a prestigious awards event.

"I've received a phone call from the organisers from Bangkok personally. They want the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups to send my profile to them. When I saw the list of 10 selected artisans, I understand more about the award's value. They're all respectable artists and judges from around ASEAN and Japan who made positive contributions to their own countries," Hanh said.

Each artist will be given an exhibition space to show their work, give a presentationand attend a Q&A session with guests about the work and experience.

Hanh was born in 1961 in Pleiku City and became Vietnam's leading figure in fashion industry. In 1997, she won the New Designer at Asia Collection Makuhari Fashion Show in Japan.

In 2006, she was awarded title Chevalier of Culture and Art in France and the Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize in 2015.

The ASEAN Selections 2016 Award ceremony will be held on August 15 at Museum Siam in Bangkok. The award will be presented by Thai minister of commerce.

Dtinews