Past meets present: Winner of the Young Creative Entrepreneur Fashion/Design Award, Vu Thao (third left) and runner-up Ta Minh Trai (third right) pose after receiving their awards. — Photo BC Vietnam

HA NOI (VNS) — Vu Thao, the creator of fashion label Kilometre 109, won the Young Creative Entrepreneur Fashion/Design Award (YCE) yesterday in Ha Noi.

Thao re-interprets the traditional weaving, dye and beeswax prints of ethnic groups in Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) and Cao Bang.

This is the third year she has applied for the award, proving that sometimes the third time is the charm.

"I was the last contestant to submit my application. It was about three minutes before deadline," Thao said at the awards ceremony yesterday at the British Council office. "I'm very honoured and excited to be selected as the winner. The award is a conclusion to a dream I have worked tirelessly for."

She will begin her ten-day trip to the UK on Saturday, which includes a visit to the London Design Festival.

"I'm looking forward to introducing my fashion products from Viet Nam to the UK market. I hope this will be a stepping stone to meeting potential collaborators and clients in the UK," the designer said.

Creative design professional Ta Minh Trai, co-founder of ADC Academy, was the runner-up. ADC is a co-working and training space with a focus on design and visual arts including graphic design, product design and design thinking.

The 2014 YCE Award seeks innovators with creativity and the entrepreneurial skill to run successful fashion and design businesses using innovative models.

Since the programme launched in 2004, the award has brought 376 creative entrepreneurs to the UK.

"The award is one of the central activities in the British Council Vietnam's Creative Economy project. It acknowledges the talent of young creative entrepreneurs and gives them opportunities to expand their business," said Cherry Gough, country director for the British Council Vietnam. — VNS