Simply chic: Fashion designer Chung Thanh Phong works on designs from his two collections for the show Ange ou Demon in HCM City. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY (VNS)— Fashion designer Chung Thanh Phong will organise a big show called Ange ou Demon (Angel or Devil) at the GEM Centre next week to celebrate his career over the last five years.

The show will feature two collections of more than 100 designs on stage with sound and light effects.

The first collection, RIN (named after his brand), introduces audiences to a combination of simplicity and utility in natural colours.

RIN offers 70 ready-to-wear designs using high quality materials like silk and cotton.

"I want my styles to be popular among urban women who prefer a simple mixture of fashion and real life, " said the 27-year-old Phong.

Phong thinks local designers would be more successful if they gave ordinary people more choices.

"If designers can't create fashions for daily use, our industry will remain amateurish," he said.

Phong's second collection includes 30 wedding designs for brides and grooms, using velvet, taffeta and satin materials.

The designer used not only white and black but also vibrant colours like red and lotus pink.

"I want to show my audiences something new and useful instead of fancy designs on stage that are not practical for daily life," Phong said.

After graduating from Hong Bang University's graphic design-advertisement programme, Chung turned to the entertainment industry as a solo singer.

He placed in the Top 10 in Viet Nam Idol 2007, a Vietnamese version of the singing contest American Idol launched by Viet Nam Television.

In 2000, Phong decided to become involved in fashion design, later organising several fashion shows and taking part in Viet Nam International Fashion Week.

He owns two brand names, RIN and Chung Thanh Phong Bridal, offered at his shops in HCM City and Da Nang.

This year, Phong was named Best New Designer of the Year by F Fashion Magazine, one of the country's leading publications on fashion and design.

Ange ou Demon will attract top fashion models such as Vo Hoang Yen, Trang Khieu, Hoang Thuy and Minh Tu.

The show will take place at 8pm on October 1 at GEM Centre in Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1. — VNS