On 8 September, the French Embassy hosted the launch of the 10th edition of the Lao Fashion Week and also celebrated the 70th anniversary of their Treaty of Friendship and Association.
Mrs. Suanesavanh Vignakhet, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism honored the event with her presence, alongside other prominent personalities. Fashion and creativity were celebrated on a spirited evening, showcasing the creations of more than 40 designers from Laos, Paris, and the world.
At the event, Ambassador Ms. Siv-Leng Chhuor spoke about the importance of fashion, a major form of art, and a strong industry in France, as Paris remains the fashion capital of the world. She highlighted the fact that fashion is very much a part of the Laotian heritage as well with its colorful and very refined handicrafts.
As fashion and creativity are of common interest to both two countries, the Ambassador also pointed out that the French Embassy and the organizers of the Lao Fashion Week have been cooperating for many years with mutual trust and friendship.
In her speech, Lao Fashion Week CEO Ms. Pany Saignavongs thanked the embassy for its lasting and decisive support and underlined all the joint efforts that they have taken to help the Lao Fashion Week event be recognized as a global platform for young Laotian designers.
Special guests at the event included a student from the prestigious fashion school ESMOD Paris, Ms. Jagoda Sokolowska who showcased her creations made of eco-friendly material, as well as the creations of the 5 laureates of the Lao Young Designer program, alumni of an exchange program at ESMOD Paris.
Admirers of fashion and cultural exchanges were also able to discover the laureates’ pieces that were displayed at the event and many more at the exhibition organized by the French Institute in Laos, on Lane Xang Avenue from 12 to 16 September.