Model defends photo-shoot ‘slur’ on K’Ho ethnic culture

Miss Vietnam 2010 runner-up Hoang My has been criticised for cultural insensitivity in her recent Love Story of Lang and Biang photo-shoot.

Hoang My defends Lang and Biang Love Story photo-shoot

While Hoang My’s photo collection was aimed to showcase a traditional Vietnamese folk story, many have accused the model of not accurately understanding K’Ho ethnic culture.

Some say that Hoang My’s bikini was made of spandex which distorts K’Ho ethnic culture. She was also accused of too provocatively portraying the two characters.

In response to the public controversy, Hoang My said, “I and my colleagues carefully studied K’Ho ethnic culture before taking these photos. We didn’t use elastic materials in the collection. My bikini was made of brocade, a traditional product.”

In response to the prudish complaints about her photos, the model said, “During the time the love story was set, K’Ho ethnic women actually dressed topless. However, I didn’t think I should do that, as no doubt that would have not been acceptable. To deal with this problem, I and my colleagues decided that I should wear a bikini instead.”

According to the model, in the story, love-struck couple K’Lang and Ho Biang, run into the forest after their love affair was denied by their families due to a clan feud. They had to live a meagre existence in the forests of the Central Highlands.

"We thought about using fur in our photos in order to portray the time when Ho Biang used fur to make clothes for her lover, K’Lang,” Hoang My said.

The model claims she wore brocade not modern materials