The "Hanoi 12 Seasons of Flowers" collection captures the visual experiences of each month of the year, with each month represented by a flower characteristic of Hanoi: from peach blossoms in January, ban flowers in March, lilies in April, lotus in June, to daisies in late autumn.

At the event, the wife of General Secretary To Lam - Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly (center) - wore a light brown ao dai, designed by Vu Viet Ha in the 1930s style. She commissioned a silver sunflower necklace to complement the ao dai. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee.

The collection celebrates the traditional ao dai of the 1930s, inspired by the sketches of artists Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, and other Vietnamese painters of that period.

Vietnamese and Russian models showcased Vu Viet Ha's "Hanoi 12 Seasons of Flowers" collection. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

The ao dai were meticulously hand-sewn by Trach Xa village artisans using silk fabric, hand-dyed with natural plant-based colors, reflecting an eco-friendly approach to sustainable fashion. Each ao dai is paired with a hand-embroidered silk scarf featuring floral motifs in vibrant colors.

"Through the ao dai, I hope to connect hearts that appreciate art, beauty, and nature, sharing values that transcend language and geography," the designer said.

A characteristic Hanoi ao dai design from the 1930s, with a daisy-embroidered scarf, on Red Square. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee

The event took place last week as part of the Vietnam Culture Festival 2025 in Russia, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, from 22/7 to 3/8. The program was hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Moscow and Saint Petersburg governments.

Vu Viet Ha was born and works in Hanoi. In addition to running his own fashion brand, he also teaches in the Fine Arts Department at the Hanoi College of Arts. The designer has made his mark with numerous collections such as "Who is She?", "Entrusting the Mong People to the Future," "The Day of Return," and "Love Story on the Stone Plateau."

Vu Viet Ha's ao dai are often crafted from natural and rare materials, woven and processed by hand, such as banana silk, lotus silk, and pineapple silk.

In addition to the ao dai show, the cultural festival in Russia also features various activities: traditional music and dance performances, water puppet shows, introductions to Vietnamese cuisine "Fragrance of Com: Essence of Hanoi, Soul of the Red River," showcasing Vietnamese lacquerware, and photo exhibitions "Vietnam, Land and People."

Y Ly