BUV students’ fashion show stuns the ‘Fashion Mogul’
Jun 19, 2024
11:26:49
Four segments of the show vividly illustrate Hanoi’s cultural and historical tapestry, featuring fashion designs inspired by its architecture, people, and enduring stories.
In early June, the “52” Fashion Show organised by the BUV Fashion Club took centre stage on campus. The event featured many prominent figures from Vietnam’s fashion and music scenes, boasting a large-scale and professionally managed affair backed by numerous major enterprises.
“52” draws its inspiration from the intersection of Hanoi’s adoration and the creative yearnings of its youth. The number 52 symbolises the juxtaposition and reflection of tradition and modernity, artfully interwoven into both men’s and women’s collections.
Four fashion segments vividly portray Hanoi’s cultural and historical interweaving through fashion designs inspired by its architecture, people, and timeless tales.
The “52” Fashion Show organised by the BUV Fashion Club
Chapter 1 – “Hanoi’s Land” reimagines the unique architectural and cultural beauty of old Hanoi, the intersection of tradition and modernity creating a city steeped in nostalgia. Following the beauty of “physical elements,” the beauty of “literary elements” is celebrated in Chapter 2 – “Old Hanoi,” depicting the profound cultural and ethical values of ancient Hanoians, honoring the standards of “Cong – Dung – Ngon – Hanh ” (“Hardworking, Beautiful, Well-spoken and Well-behaved”) for women, and “Tam – Cuong – Ngu – Thuong ” (“Three moral bonds, Five cardinal virtues”) for men.
Chapter 3 – “Hanoi Then” recreates the glorious historical moments of Hanoi through resilient resistance battles and the daily life of people in the capital. The final chapter, “Hanoi Today,” takes the audience from the difficult era to changes in the 90s, the innovation, and the dynamism of today’s young Hanoi generation, along with the awareness to preserve core values.
The entire show was a captivating journey through time, whisking the audience away to rediscover the nostalgic essence of Hanoi, steeped in millennia of culture, or offering a fresh lens on ancient Hanoi for Gen Z. On the runway, many uniquely conceived, and beautifully executed designs delivered delightful surprises to the guests.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Trang Le, Founder and Chairwoman of Vietnam International Fashion Week, lauded the creative and exceptional pieces showcased in the collections, particularly praising the meticulous organisation and scale of the BUV students’ event, which rivaled professional large-scale affairs.
“A year ago, when faced with the decision of whether to send my daughter to study in the UK after high school, we opted to stay in Vietnam and choose BUV. Here, my daughter benefits from an education in a British environment close to home, alongside the invaluable values of practical learning and early engagement. Today, witnessing firsthand the spirit and capabilities of my daughter and her peers, I am convinced that our decision was absolutely right,” Ms. Trang Le remarked.
Photo of Ms. Trang Le & Designer Duc Hung: Ms. Trang Le (second from the left) and Designer Duc Hung (second from the right) take a commemorative photo with Mr. Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV (far right)
Sharing his thoughts, designer Duc Hung commented, “Despite being born and raised in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, there were many intricate details I overlooked, which the students have astutely identified and celebrated in their fashion designs. This genuinely makes me go ‘wow’ and deeply admire the creativity of these young talents.”
Professor Rick Bennett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, acknowledged that while the university does not currently offer a specialised fashion programme, this impressive show is the culmination of collaborative efforts by students from diverse fields such as Marketing, Business, and Event Management. It splendidly showcases the dynamism and versatility of BUV students.
Here are some notable designs presented in the “52” Fashion Show:
Quoc Ngu script in the form of bas-reliefs or raised alphabet characters from the signage of ancient shops in Hanoi are delicately heat-printed on beige aprons.
Details of vaulted roofs and tiled roofs of the Thang Long Four Quadrangle, featuring the four temples of Bach Ma, Voi Phuc, Kim Lien, and Quan Thanh, are artistically stylised.
The distinctive colours of many of the 36 streets and guilds, such as the red and pink shades of Hang Dao Street or the navy blue of Hang Bong Street, create captivating highlights on the garments.
In ancient Vietnamese, “su” in Lo Su means robes, once a street specialising in selling coffins. The unique characteristics of this street are elegantly translated into the off-white designs.
Designs inspired by Nguyen Trai’s “Giao Huan Ca” depict the character “Ngon” in women’s conduct through speech, combining soft lines and lightweight taffeta fabric for a graceful flow.
Many designs blend traditional ethnic values with contemporary trends and sensibilities.
Inspired by the women’s defensive attire from President Ho Chi Minh’s call to national resistance in 1946.
Weddings in the 1990s saw innovations compared to the austerity era, with brides in ao dai or wedding gowns and grooms in formal Western-style suits.
Designs inspired by the cries of newborn babies from maternity homes on Ngo Quyen Street and maternity homes on Lo Duc Street in the post-liberation years.
Amid the modern era, BUV students imaginatively conceive future wedding attire with designs that transcend traditional gender distinctions.
- Share
Read more 
Mar 01, 2026
Students Take on Consulting Role for Travel BusinessVietnam’s tourism sector is gaining pace again as AI and digital technologies reshape how travellers search for and experience services. Against this evolving operational landscape, a travel company has brought a real business challenge into the classroom, asking students at British University Vietnam (BUV) to analyse and propose solutions as consultants. Rapid Market Recovery Raises […]
Mar 01, 2026
First-ever progression pathway to the World’s 11th Best University for BUV graduatesStrategic postgraduate pathway to a world-leading institution British University Vietnam (BUV) has officially launched a landmark partnership with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) – ranked 11th globally and 1st in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This milestone marks BUV’s first official university partnership in Hong Kong, further strengthening its global academic […]
Feb 28, 2026
BUV Students Earn International Wine CertificationOne of the increasingly common professional standards in five-star hotels, resorts and high-end restaurants is in-depth knowledge of beverages and the ability to advise international guests with confidence. Against this backdrop, students from British University Vietnam (BUV) have completed the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, an internationally recognised wine qualification in Hospitality Management and […]
Feb 28, 2026
Spreading the spirit of sharing through Library of LoveIn schools where resources remain limited and a single book can still feel like a luxury, BUV students chose to begin with something simple yet meaningful: filling empty shelves with opportunity. Through Library of Love, a project led by BUV Student Life in collaboration with students, the message “Gather Love – Inspire Dreams” has been […]
Feb 24, 2026
From startup mindsets to cultural insights: Innovation-driven Indian students join BUV’s Culture Immersion ProgrammeStudents from Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University (SSIU) recently joined the Culture Immersion Programme at British University Vietnam (BUV), embarking on a two-week journey designed around three core pillars: academic engagement, industry exposure, and cultural immersion. At the heart of the programme were interactive academic sessions led by BUV faculty, focusing on entrepreneurship, startup innovation, […]
Feb 03, 2026
BUV Students Achieve 1st Runner-up at Deloitte SEA Tax Challenge 2026The Taxscape team, representing Vietnam from British University Vietnam (BUV), achieved 1st Runner-up in the Team category at the Deloitte Southeast Asia Tax Challenge 2026 Finals, held in Malaysia. The Deloitte SEA Tax Challenge 2026 Finals brought together six teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, creating a highly competitive environment with […]
Jan 31, 2026
New BUV partnership with startup-driven Indian university to advance innovation and entrepreneurshipBritish University Vietnam (BUV) has taken another significant step in expanding its global academic network by establishing a new strategic partnership with Swarrnim Startup & Innovation University (SSIU), India. This collaboration reflects BUV’s continued commitment to fostering cross-border academic engagement and strengthening educational ties between Vietnam and India. The partnership was formalised through the signing […]
Jan 27, 2026
Arena for Future EntrepreneursAfter a challenging and passion-filled journey, the Grand Final of the “Entrepreneurship Arena” 2025 concluded at the campus of British University Vietnam marking a significant milestone for community-oriented startup ideas driven by Vietnam’s young generation. From Impressive Numbers to a Fiery Final Stage Launched in late 2025, the competition attracted widespread attention with compelling figures: […]
Jan 26, 2026
BUV Scholarships 2026: backing a bold new generation of pioneersBritish University Vietnam (BUV) is launching the BUV Scholarships 2026 Programme, standing alongside a new generation of young people who are ready to lead with confidence. Through these scholarships, the University aims to widen access to an international learning environment for talented students across Vietnam. A Springboard for confident pioneers What should a university scholarship […]
Jan 20, 2026
Sustainable Sport Events: New Opportunity for Vietnam on the Global StageSustainable Sport Events: New Opportunity for Vietnam on the Global Stage Vietnam is facing growing opportunities to host international sporting events. In a global context, however, the ability to deliver events in a sustainable way is increasingly becoming a key criterion for destinations seeking long-term relevance and credibility. From Global Trend to Vietnam’s Opportunity In […]
