Ao dai design sets national record
Culture - Sports - Tourism - PublishedTime : 06:44, 24/06/2023
Designer Hoang Ly (left) is pictured with Beauty Queen of Vietnamese Ao Dai 2022, Lai Thi Hai Ly, in the ao dai. Photo courtesy of the designer
The design was awarded by the Vietnam Book of Records.
The organisation noted the 189m-long silk ao dai for being embellished with the highest number of intricate and ancient Vietnamese patterns and designs at 468, created with both crystals and 3D printing techniques.
The highlight of this record-breaking design are the ancient patterns inspired by 17th-century architectural engravings combined with mother-of-pearl inlays on high-quality silk.
Fifteen designers and artisans from Ha Noi’s Thuong Tin district have made the ao dai over the last five months.
After putting together the base of the dress, the artists began drawing ancient Vietnamese patterns to be printed on it. They then embroidered and embellished the patterns with crystals. This is the most time-consuming part of the process as it requires meticulous attention to detail.
The 189m-long silk ao dai sets the national record for being embellished with the highest number of intricate and ancient Vietnamese patterns. Photo courtesy of the designer
According to designer Hoang Ly, the ao dai was her biggest challenge to date. "For five long months, we had to mobilise our collaborators to work together to bring this project to life," she told dantri.vn.
“The record-breaking ao dai, with a length of 189 metres, is not simply lifeless fabric, but is adorned with many intricate and ancient Vietnamese patterns and designs, along with sparkling crystals, creating a brilliant shine.”
"It aims to honour the beauty of Vietnamese cultural heritage and traditional identity," she added.
With such meaning, Ly has selected Lai Thi Hai Ly, the Beauty Queen of Vietnamese Ao Dai 2022, as the first model to present the creation to the public.
The design will be showcased at tourist attractions in Vietnam after setting the record to promote the cultural heritage of the country to domestic and international visitors.
VNS