AirAsia supports Lao designers to compete in region
AirAsia supports Lao designers to compete in region
The AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search 2017 announced the two winners that will represent Lao designers alongside another 18 designers from other Asean countries at the contest’s grand finale in Malaysia.
The AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search 2017 will take place in Kuala Lumpur (KL) this August aims to provide aspiring designers the opportunity of a lifetime to compete on a regional level and showcase their collection on a professional runway during the KL Fashion Week Ready to Wear (KLFW RTW).
Organisors say the event is aiming to support young designers from Asean to step up to drive fashion industry growth in the region.
The two Lao winners chosen, Ms Naithip Vongphachanh and Mr Siamphan Chanthavichit, said they both used ethnic group costumes to inspire their designs and they were excited to be given the opportunity to represent Laos.
A Senior Product Manager for AirAsia, Mr Tep Neeranatpuree, said the fashion industry in Laos is emerging with flair from homegrown talents alongside greater recognition towards the field.
Mr Tep believed there was so much to offer from the country, like its unique cultural elements, and is thrilled to be a part of this Asean-driven initiative to grow the local industry further.
He wished the two Laos finalists all the best for the finale in August and said they were excited to see the pride of Laos on the runway in August.
Mr Tep added that aspiring Lao designers went through extensive rounds of judging and were selected based on design creativity, originality, consistency of their collection, adherence to the Asean theme, practicality and stage presentation potential.
The regional auditions will continue in all the capital cities throughout Asean countries where two from each country will continue to be selected to battle for the top honour during the finale in KL.
Both finalists from the auditions in Laos will stand a chance to win 150,000 AirAsia BIG Points; a 44 million kip fund to produce a capsule collection to be sold on fashionvalet.com; a six-page fashion spread in AirAsia’s in-flight magazine, Travel3Sixty; AirAsia flights and mentorship from the KLFW RTW, apart from also having a confirmed slot to showcase their full collection at KLFW RTW 2018.
This year’s selection committee was made up of Founder of KLFW RTW, Andrew Tan, Senior Product Manager AirAsia; Tep Neeranatpuree, Head of Buying, FashionValet, Tan Hooi Min alongside, CEO/Group Managing Director of Society Lifestyle Magazine, Pany Saignavongs and Fashion Designer of Men Folder, Bandid Lasavong, who were all impressed by the quality of entries shown by the participants with a commitment to the ethos of Asean as well.
AirAsia is also KLFW RTW 2017’s Preferred Travel Partner and will be flying in fashion designers from AirAsia and AirAsia X Groups’ extensive route network including India, Japan, China, South Korea and Australia to showcase their latest collection on the KLFW RTW runways.
