Fair Fashion Lao Design Competition
May 2019 Fair Fashion Lao and Fashion Revolution launched a Sustainable Fashion Weekend and Design Competition at Lao National Cultural Hall.
The 10 selected young designers each created two looks to be shown on the runway and in Phanphae (Fabric) Evolution Exhibit in Vientiane Center Shopping Center.
The design criteria included that garments should be:
- Sustainable
- Ethical
- Sellable
- Culturally unique
All pieces were created with “Made-in-Lao” fabric; and incorporated elements from the diverse culture of Lao within their designs. The designers had the wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience to learn new design techniques, tour local merchant partner shops, visit the Lao Textile Museum, attend a natural-dye and leaf printing workshop and more.
Our merchant partners stated that the local community believes their prices are too high, therefore the sustainability of their business is generated from expats and tourists. This means the possibility of having a significantly low-rate on repeat customers; causing instability in the profit generating model. While Fair Fashion Lao aims to encourage and promote Made-in-Lao products to the local and expat communities and international market. Special thanks to Khaoniew Theater Company for the bamboo style runway featuring a waterfall and pond for a naturalistic atmosphere.
FFL aims to provide the youth with new opportunities for professional growth and hands-on experience in the emerging fashion industry. Our event provided over 40 youth individuals from universities and high schools to volunteer in event management, marketing, modeling, and design. It gave an opportunity for young designers to create designs and showcase it on the runway and in a fashion showroom.
The selected young designers stated “We modified Lao traditional fabrics into our own interpretation of modern designs. Our aim is to exhibit the development of normal and traditional fabrics into contemporary designs and various types of goods to enhance Laotian craftsmanship and our community.” – Phanphae Evolution Designers from Fair Fashion Lao Program.
The ten young selected designers competed for first place and People’s choice award. Our first place winner, Ms. Arlin Manithip, was selected for her two zero-waste design pieces made with all natural materials and plant-extracted dye sourced from ethnic village tribes through Saoban Fairtrade Social Enterprise. Multifunctional, ready-to-wear, fashionable, and innovative, her designs creates a new dynamic for the Sustainable Fashion Industry of Lao PDR.
From up-cycling to zero waste to biodegradable the ten selected young designers and merchant partners are bringing in a new wave of “Made-in-Lao” sustainable, ethical, or innovative fashion products and accessories. There is indeed a movement for the emerging sustainable fashion industry in Lao PDR with more consumers asking “Who Made My Clothes” and an increase of designers and village artisans responding.
This fashionable weekend included:
- Pop up shops
- Runway shows
- Sustainable design competition
- Speeches from key industry and policy leaders
- Weaving demonstrations from village artisans
- Contemporary dance and puppetry performances
- Food and Drink
Merchant partners included; Saya, Boutsaya, Naree, Khampao, Khampoun, Golden Age Tam, Khang, Saoban, ODOP, Ock Pop Tok, Camacrafts, Veo Handbags, and MeuangXua Embroidery.
Selected Event Photos Below:
Full Press Release for project on Fashion Revolution Laos homepage
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