Fashion designer Vo Viet Chung shared his opinions on local models in an interview with Vietnamnet.
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| Designer Vo Viet Chung |
As a designer, what do you think about the model's role?
Models are very important to us. They present our collections and sometimes, they are the muse. For example, I always think of Kim Cuong when I make clothes inspired by the Mekong Delta region or about Ngoc Han when the clothes have old northern features.
What is your ideal of beauty?
When I choose models for my show, I don’t prioritise their facial beauty, but their work. The impression, the atmosphere they express when they wear the clothes are more important. But of course, to be a model, you must have good body measurements.
What is your opinion on models that tend to be arrogant and ask for high payment after they have gained some fame?
After 20 years in business, I still have to put up with such models. There are people who I helped wholeheartedly but they turn their backs on me after they made their names. And I have never worked with those people for a second time.
A few years ago, I organised a show to introduce one of my special ao dai. A beauty pageant contestant, who is no longer so sought after, came to me and asked for a place in the show. She was regarded as ‘hot’ again after that, but when I asked for favours, she gave every excuses to refuse.
I wasn’t that bothered because designers work as long as they can and the models can only work when their beauty is fresh, and we have new beauty pageants every year.
How about the scandals that have hit the profession recently?
I think many models are living in a hurry. Many of the girls recently escaped poverty. That's why when they have earned a fortune, they just want to enjoy everything and don’t seem capable of avoiding scandals.
At my model training centre, I often try to talk with students about the career.
It seems like there is an unspoken rule that who have worked longer or have higher status will automatically choose important positions for themselves such as who opens or closes the runway show?
It's true. I once held a show in Japan and there were two models fighting for those positions and no one wanted to back down. Finally, the organisers decided to let them go out at the same time. I felt so embarrassed.
But sometimes, the models are also affected by their managers or even by their families. This just underlines the fact that Vietnamese models aren’t professional enough.
It is claimed in the press that models earn tens of millions of VND. Are their payments really that high?
Because Vietnam don't have average payments for models, it's hard to tell.
I can tell you my story though. Several models asked to participate in my next show "The Time" without receiving any payment, but they also asked me to tell others that they received high payment. I refused and told them that I had my own criteria to choose models.
Among the current models, who do you have a high opinion of?
There are people that I thought highly of, but they violated their work ethics so I haven't been able to found anyone.
Vo Viet Chung will hold his "The Time" fashion show to celebrate 20 years in the business. He will also receive a certification of merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for his promotion of Vietnam's ao dai.
