Graduation Projects in Fashion Design 2024: A kaleidoscope of colors from an artistic perspective

On January 5, 2024, students of Course 25 who majored in Fashion Design at Van Lang University successfully defended their graduation projects. Many projects left a strong impression on audiences as they seamlessly integrated aesthetics and fashion into daily life.

Beyond the objective of evaluating students' knowledge and capabilities, graduation projects serve as an opportunity for Fashion Design students to express their unique personalities and creativity through clothing. It also provides a platform for receiving feedback and professional suggestions from the evaluation committee. In this year's project assessment, the committee included Dr Ma Thanh Cao, Chairman of the committee, MSc. Phan Anh Tuan, Secretary, MSc. Dinh Tran Duy Khang, Member, MSc. Le Thi Thanh Nhan, Member, and MSc. Nguyen Vu Cam Ly,  Member. 

Fifteen collections showcased unique and vibrant ideas. Some projects drew inspiration from aspects closely related to life, such as muscularis (human body), coffee trees, tulip flowers, traditional rice paper-making villages, the chameleon, etc. Several projects focused on exploring cultural heritage, aiming to enhance community awareness of social issues such as environmental protection, preservation and promotion of traditional cultural elements. Notably, some students dedicated time to research, combining innovative materials that carry significant meanings to life.

From a love for traditional culture, while casually watching a documentary about the last artisan of the Hang Trong painting, Nguyen Ta Duc Phu conceived the idea of exploring the beauty of Vietnamese women through the culture of Ca Tru and Hang Trong painting. "A Dao Thi" collection combines traditional beauty with luxurious design to create a beautiful collection. Phu has changed the perspectives and perceptions of many people towards this genre of folk paintings by maximizing his strengths in using colors to transform the original traditional art into something more modern and closer to the younger generation while still preserving its essence and core beauty.

In addition to investing in product research, the meticulous processing of materials, forms, and patterns created a collection with high aesthetic value. MSc. Dinh Tran Duy Khang evaluates that Phu has completely revitalized the images of "a dao", Hang Trong paintings, and Dong Ho paintings. "The path of promoting traditional culture in the future of Phu will be more and more successful." MSc. Nguyen Vu Cam Ly advises gently.

Recognizing that fashion is one of the factors that significantly influences the environment, the Algae Blooms collection by Nguyen Hong Ngoc draws inspiration from the phenomenon of seaweed blooming. The project is particularly impressive to the committee by researching and using bioplastic material - a fabric made 100% from gelatin, then shaped manually, combined with bioplastic to create a new material which is biodegradable, embodying the message of green and sustainable fashion.

"The biggest challenge in creating the collection was the process of experimenting and producing new eco-friendly materials. While boiling, if the ratio and temperature are not correct, gelatin does not adhere. This material requires storage in a suitable temperature environment, not to mention how to achieve a thickness of 0.1 cm for the fabric layer to use in sewing and design." Hong Ngoc shared.

Inspired by the study of the human body, Quach Nhut Duy believes that our bodies are masterpieces bestowed by nature, with beauty hidden within muscle areas, muscle fibers, and the slices that make up a complete body.

By using only three tones of white, black, and grey combined with intricate techniques to create layers that stimulate muscles, the designer creates a modern and stylized collection.

A profound passion for mythology, images of mighty warriors, and majestic warhorses inspired Vu Anh Kiet in the Apocalypse collection. Challenging himself through experimenting with real leather embossing and entirely hand-touch techniques, 3D modeling and printing, clay molding, and a resin coating on the garment's structure, Vu Anh Kiet successfully showcased a visually striking collection, creating a strong visual impression and establishing a tight connection between the iconic demeanor of each character in the mythical Four Horsemen of Apocalypse: Punisher, War, Famine, and Death.

Exploring the perspective of coffee, the Si Collection carries the essence of the 1920s. The collection focuses on exploring images of the coffee garden from a distance to a close view through each season, using the method of fabric collage along the lines of the coffee garden viewed from above, blending with Art Decor. The structure, garment form, colors, and materials embody the characteristics of the Flapper 20s style. The structure, silhouette, color, and materials exhibit the characteristic features of the Flapper style of the 20s. The project features handcraft techniques such as fabric flower-making, embellishment, etc.

Interested in Carolina Herrera's design philosophy – "Fashion has always been a repetition of ideas, but what makes it new is the way you put it together." Nguyen Hoang Hieu focused on a multidimensional perspective of the natural beauty of rock formations and stalactites inside caves. Using patternmaking and form-building techniques, surface material treatment through methods like bonding, hot stamping, quilting, laser cutting, and mesh construction, the "Hang Thien Duong" collection highlights the intricate beauty of cave formations, conveying the desire to preserve and promote the natural treasures bestowed upon Vietnam by nature.

The collection also was inspired by traditional elements, focusing on material treatment to recreate the imprints of rice paper when drying on bamboo trays or stacked in piles after harvest. With warm tones of cream-white and brown, Nhat Hoang vividly depicts the images of the traditional village clearly and rustically.

In summary of the January 2024 graduation projects defense, the projects demonstrated consistent quality. Some projects left a strong impression, effectively conveying profound messages while maintaining practicality in fashion. "In a machine age, dressmaking is one of the last refuges of the human, the personal, the inimitable." (Christian Dior). Hoping that Van Lang University students will preserve their uniqueness and innovation in fashion creation, continually enhancing themselves and successfully contributing their vibrant colors to the diverse world of art.

News: Hong Thanh
Photos: Khanh Dang – Trung Tin