The design is inspired by Empress Nam Phuong and the hallmarks of the royal court.
According to the designer, when mentioning Empress Nam Phuong, people remember the last empress of the Nguyen dynasty and also a rare fashion icon. She possessed a harmonious beauty that blended the dignified elegance of East Asia with the modern spirit of the West. The empress also played a significant role in shaping the modern ao dai with its high collar, long sleeves, fitted silhouette, and soft fabric, giving it an elegant yet majestic look.
Viet stated that the inspiration for the Kim Hoa Imperial Seal design came from the image of the Empress during her European tour in 1939. Appearing before the international delegation in a red ceremonial robe embroidered with dragons and phoenixes and wearing a royal headscarf, she displayed a calm demeanor and cultural sophistication. For Viet, that moment exemplified the confident fusion of East and West, a fitting inspiration for the design's central theme.
Drawing of the Post-Imperial Seal of the Golden Flower
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
Through this imagery, Viet wants to convey a message about the beauty of Vietnamese women: elegant, independent, and knowledgeable. According to him, intelligence is the most enduring beauty, while compassion and strength of character are the soft powers that create the dignity of Vietnamese women across generations.
To convey the spirit of the royal court into fashion, Viet chose to emulate the art of gilding and lacquering, a technique traditionally reserved for architecture and fine arts. The biggest challenge was transforming a hard, heavy, and easily damaged material into a flexible surface that could move with the model's body. The outfit took over 700 hours to create, from the initial shaping and pattern transfer to the final finishing touches. The gilding process, in particular, demanded absolute meticulousness, as even a small mistake could affect the entire surface.
Runner-up Mai Ngo in the "Hau An Kim Hoa" design, featuring a modern interpretation of gold leaf lacquer painting techniques.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
According to Viet, the Hue imperial architecture was incorporated into the costume, modeled after the Thai Hoa Palace. Layers of dragon and cloud motifs, swirling patterns, seal patterns, lotus, plum, chrysanthemum, peony, and mythical creature images such as the golden turtle are arranged in order from top to bottom, from inside to outside. These motifs were extracted from direct survey materials at the Hue Imperial Citadel, ensuring the preservation of the true spirit of imperial art.
Balancing Vietnamese identity and international performance standards.
To ensure that the "Hậu Ấn Kim Hoa" (Golden Flower Emblem) costume retains its historical value while being suitable for the international stage, Vietnam maintains the spirit of Nhật Bình and the golden age of Nguyễn Dynasty aesthetics, but with a modern approach. The silhouettes are widened to create a strong visual effect during performances. The multi-layered structure gives the costumes depth in movement. The patterns are meticulously refined, using strong metallic accents to catch the light. The headdress and outer garment are sculptural, creating a regal silhouette without being heavy.
The costume details are handcrafted, showcasing the skill and artistic spirit of Vietnamese royal court design.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
“Runner-up Mai Ngo is considered to have perfectly conveyed the spirit of the design. Her decisive demeanor, inner strength, and confidence helped her showcase a regal yet modern beauty. The bold structure of the outfit, along with the headdress and puffed sleeves, created a strong focal point on stage, helping her stand out among the international contestants,” Viet shared.
With "Hậu Ấn Kim Hoa," Nguyễn Quốc Việt marks a significant step in his career. Following the success of "Chiệu Cà Mau" (the costume worn by Miss Ngọc Châu at Miss Universe 2022), he has shifted to a more strategic approach, not only telling cultural stories but also creating a statement about Vietnamese identity and soft power.
Designer Nguyen Quoc Viet
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
According to the designer, incorporating Vietnamese cultural elements into fashion is not just a trend, but also a responsibility. "When working with heritage, designers are not simply creating, but telling the stories of many generations in a new language," Viet said.
For the Kim Hoa Imperial Seal, Vietnam uses brocade woven with golden cloud patterns, Bao Loc silk, and handcrafted organza combined with gold leaf lacquer techniques to both respect heritage and express the spirit of the times.
According to Viet, this design is an affirmation of the powerful beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of Vietnamese culture. He hopes that through Mai Ngo's journey at Miss Charm 2025, international audiences will remember Vietnam through a concise, powerful, and proud cultural story.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-thiet-designer-dua-cam-hung-nam-phuong-hoang-hau-vao-trang-phuc-thi-miss-charm-2025-185251210135234725.htm
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