Charming "Vietnam-Japan Autumn Colors"

Performance honoring cultural beauty through Vietnamese ao dai and Japanese kimono

The program takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations (1973-2023), the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Women's Union (1930-2023) and Vietnamese Women's Day and the 24th anniversary of Hanoi being honored by UNESCO as "City for Peace " (1999-2023).

“Vietnam-Japan Autumn Colors” includes music and dance performances, fashion shows, talks with designers, visiting photo exhibitions and experiencing trying on Japanese yukata (a traditional costume similar to kimono but with a lighter design and used for everyday use).

The event attracted the public of the capital and representatives of many embassies and foreign cultural organizations in Vietnam.

The highlight of the event was the two fashion collections “Four Seasons of Japan” by kimono expert Junko Sophia Kakizaki and “Vietnam Brocade” by designer Nguyen Lan Vy. The graceful, flowing and colorful beauty of the traditional costumes of women of Vietnam and Japan also expressed many quintessential features such as long history, exquisite aesthetics, sophisticated crafting techniques, etiquette and meaning when used...

The “Four Seasons of Japan” collection by Kimono expert Junko Sophia Kakizaki includes 10 kimonos as works of art reflecting the natural beauty and typical colors of the Land of the Rising Sun. The collection showcases the unique traditional hand-dyeing and embroidery techniques, passed down through many generations of Japanese people, with water wave motifs, cranes and the beauty of seasonal flowers such as chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms, etc.

The collection “Vietnam brocade” by designer Lan Vy includes 10 ao dai sets on brocade and silk with hand-painted floral motifs by the talented hands of Vietnamese artists.

The designs are inspired by traditional Vietnamese cultural stories, sacred mascots such as dragons and phoenixes in ancient legends and images of bronze drums from the golden age. In addition, the image of the lotus - often considered the national flower of Vietnam, is also gently exploited.

The special exchange with the two designers was also full of fun and emotion with inspiration in creation and the journey to honor the traditional cultural heritage values of the nation.

Ms. Junko Sophia Kakizaki is known as an active promoter of Japanese culture abroad, such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and especially kimono. The female expert has traveled to 55 countries around the world to perform and present about Japanese culture.

At the event, Mrs. Junko introduced to visitors the family kimono, a gift for her coming of age ceremony at the age of 20, which she received from her grandmother and mother. For Japanese women, this is an extremely important milestone in life, and the kimono is believed to be more beautiful after passing through at least 3 generations. As for designer Lan Vy, who was born and raised in the ancient capital of Hue, she founded and produced the “Ao Dai Show” – an art and cultural promotion program loved by many domestic and international audiences.

Representatives of the Vietnam Women's Museum received the kimono donated by Ms. Junko Sophia Kakizaki (wearing a gray kimono).

Within the framework of the event, there was also a ceremony to receive Japanese kimono costumes donated by expert Junko Sophia Kakizaki to the Vietnamese Women's Museum, adding to the rich and colorful collection of artifacts for visitors to the Museum.

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