Three leading designers of Vietnam's premier fashion companies and 20freelance designers will take part in Vietnam Fashion Week Spring-Summer2011 at the French Consulate in HCM City today andon Dec. 3-4.

Thecatwalk event will feature nearly 1,000 designs made with high-qualitymaterials, including fabrics in bright colours as well as checked andstriped patterns.

This year, designers will use Vietnamesematerials like silk, crocodile and python leather and gems for theirapparel and accessories.

The event is organised by the consulate,the Vietnam National Textile and Garment group (Vinatex), the VietnamTextile and Apparel Association (Vitas), and the Vietnam Leather andFootwear Association (Lefaso).

The two-day fair is an opportunityto mark Viet Nam's entry into the global fashion industry, and changethe way of doing business from cut-and-make to original designs bymanufacturers.

"The event will prove that the Vietnam industry inrecent years has developed despite the economic crisis," said Vinatexvice chairman Le Trung Hai. "The industry is seeing more and more youngdesigners with creative designs."

The Viet Thang Textile Companyhas used 3D technology in creating their new collection designed by VanKhoa, Bich Ha and Hong Vuong, who entered the industry afterparticipating in the fashion contest Vietnam Collection Grand Prix.

Thetwo-day event will also feature designs by popular, more establisheddesigners, Minh Hanh and Dang Khoa, and young designers like Van Vo,Tuan Huy, Hien Le and Hai Long.

Hanh, director of fashion houseFadin, said Viet Thang and designers have worked with local accessorymakers like VITCO Shoes, Ton Phat Crocodile Leather and Phuc KhanhJewelry to use luxurious materials like crocodile and python leather andprecious gems to create new styles for the spring-summer collection.

Morethan 40 models from leading fashion agencies, including New Talent inHa Noi and HCM City, will participate in the event, as will make-upartist Dung Phan and his staff./.