Perfect fit: An Italian model dressed in an ao dai designed by Hoang Hai. — VNS Photo

FLORENCE (VNS)— Models wearing ao dai designed by Hoang Hai strolled down the catwalk at the Ha Noi-Florence fashion show in Florence, Italy on Tuesday and Wednesday.

As part of the Vietnamese Days event, the fashion show celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Italy.

Young designer Hai represented the Vietnamese fashion scene, displaying an ao dai collection that reflected both traditional and contemporary style. Models included Miss Viet Nam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy and Miss Viet Nam 2010 Dang Ngoc Han as well as leading Vietnamese and Italian models.

"I feel honoured to display my designs in Italy for the first time," he said. "It's a great opportunity to introduce ao dai – and Vietnamese culture – to the world. I hope that Vietnamese fashion can integrate into the world fashion scene and fashion lovers worldwide will associate Viet Nam with the ao dai."

Hai's collection renders traditional style ao dai from all three regions of Viet Nam in modern luxury materials such as satin, silk and chiffon. All the outfits were produced in Italian factories.

The designer also introduced his hand-made haute couture collection, filled with luxurious fabrics such as velvet and lace.

Italian audiences expressed their enthusiasm for ao dai, saying the Vietnamese models looked graceful in the traditional dresses. — VNS