The extravaganzawill include three nights of ready-to-wear outfits and one haute couturenight at Vietnam Television's S14 studio. TalentedItalian designer Michele Gaudiomonte and Malaysia's Eric Choong willjoin 25 Vietnamese to display the integration of local and world trends.

The event proves the rising potential of the domestic fashion industry, said veteran designer Minh Hanh.

Lorenzo Angeloni, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, said Gaudiomonte was atalented designer. The Rome Designers' Association has recognised allof his designs as works of art. He will showcase a collection featuringthe beauty of his country, made with high-grade Italian silk, during thefashion week.

Meanwhile, Choong is expected todelight local fashion lovers with a collection that says traditionalvalues can be promoted through creation and exchange. Choong works withtraditional, hand-painted patterns.

Domestic designersHai Sieu, Quoc Khai and Tien Dat, winners of the Muc Tim (Purple Ink)newspaper's Style Contest 2014, will take part in the event for thefirst time.

Sieu, an 18-year-old designer and theyoungest at this year's fashion week, will bring a collection inspiredby the dreams of the younger generation.

Designer Lan Huong, well-known for her ao dai collections, will premiere a set of hand-embroidered silk scarves.

"These scarves, which can be matched with jeans and dresses, make theattire colourful like flowers blooming in spring and summer," Huongsaid.

In addition to individual designers, threefashion brands, Elise, Charming Lys and GenViet, will also take part.One brand collection will open each ready-to-wear night.

GenViet will bring new insight into denim material in the company's first showing.

The annual event aims to create a competitive arena for designers,promote the Vietnamese fashion industry and offer new trends to meetVietnamese fashion demand.

"It's a special opportunityfor young talents," said designer Hanh, who founded Vietnam's fashionweeks. "We expect that through the event where they have to pass manychallenges, they will learn from other designers and grow."

♛ The Italian Embassy will open an exhibition of the collections onDecember 8 at Casa Italia, 18 Le Phung Hieu Street in Hanoi. Theexhibition will run during the fashion week.-VNA