The aforementioned design, themed "Ancestral Worship," appeared in the National Costume segment of the Miss Grand Vietnam 2025 pageant. Designed by Tran Cong Hau and modeled by contestant Nguyen Thi Cam Hang, it was presented as being inspired by the custom of ancestor worship. On stage, the contestant performed with a complete ancestral altar set, including ancestral portraits, an incense burner, and offerings. Furthermore, to add to the "authenticity," the contestant lit three incense sticks and bowed in all four directions!
In recent times, many designers have explored and incorporated elements of national culture into their creations. However, knowing how to blend traditional cultural elements with the new and modern is not simple. Without skillful execution, it can easily lead to inconsistencies, awkwardness, or even offensiveness, as in the case of bringing an ancestral altar onto the stage as shown above.
Many argue that the ancestral altar is the most sacred place in a family, not something to be displayed, especially on entertainment stages like beauty pageants. Some fashion designers, however, believe the design reflects a rigid and uncreative mindset.
"No one would simply bring national elements onto the stage like that, especially elements with such sacred significance as ancestral altars. If they wanted to, they could create stylized images, borrow ideas… although that would be very sensitive and easily controversial, but at least it would still show the creative effort of the designer," a designer shared.
Many others argue that those who created the design were well aware of the controversy but deliberately did it to attract attention, as this isn't the first time an ancestral altar has appeared on a fashion runway. A few years ago, the "Ancestral Altar" design – an entry in the national costume selection for Hoang Thuy to wear at Miss Universe 2019 – also caused a stir on social media.
With the increasing number of beauty pageants, the national costume segment is also being given more attention by organizers with the goal of creating a platform for young designers, finding costume designs to accompany Vietnamese beauties in international competitions, and at the same time promoting the image of Vietnam, its people, and its culture.
However, designing cultural products requires careful consideration and subtle expression to avoid causing public outrage and unnecessary controversy.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sang-tao-dung-muc-voi-van-hoa-dan-toc-post813668.html
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