Speaking to the media to introduce the 12 finalists of reality fashion design show Project Runway Vietnam, Jean Paul Cauvin of Paris's Atelier Chardon Savard institute emphasised that after meeting outstanding Vietnamese students – the winners of the first season last year, who got scholarships to go to his institute – he realised the huge potential of Vietnam's fashion industry.
Frank Cintamani, president of the Asian Couture Federation, said he has met some outstanding Vietnamese designers, and labelled Vietnam the ‘Paris of East.'
He named Le Thi Quynh Trang, organiser of Project Runway Vietnam, his federation's representative in Vietnam.
Hoang Minh Ha, last year's winner, who is training at the institute along with two runners-up, has his collection called "Black Rose" presented at Tiffany Fashion Week in Paris recently.
The 29-year-old from the Central Highlands said the contest changes his life and saves him from depression.
For this year's contest, the jury announced 12 qualifiers for the finals after tough qualification rounds in Hanoi and HCM City last month.
The judges include designers Cong Tri and Tung Leo, Harper's Bazaar representative Tran Nguyen Thien Huong, and actress Truong Ngoc Anh, who will also be the host.
Besides a VND700 million (US$33,300) cash prize, the winner will have their winning collection published on the Harper's Bazaar cover, a scholarship at the fashion institute, and other prizes.
The winner, along with his model, will also be invited to New York to showcase their collection at the New York Couture Fashion Week.
