Ao Dai Fashion Week London 2026: Vietnam's Ao Dai heritage takes the international fashion stage
WVR - From September 18 to 20, Ao Dai Fashion Week London 2026 took place in the UK capital, bringing Vietnam's Ao Dai to the international public through fashion shows, heritage exhibitions, creative exchanges, and parades in central London.
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Attending the event were Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom, Ms. Dao Thi Hong, First Secretary in charge of Education; Mr. Mayboua Xayavong, Ambassador of Laos to the United Kingdom; Mr. Jepri Edi, Coordinator of Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in London; Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe, Central Committee Member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
Organized by the Vietnamese Women and Children Association in the United Kingdom (VWCA), the event aimed to introduce Ao Dai within the framework of a Fashion Week, where attention is given to designers, collections, materials, craftsmanship, and the creative thinking that continues to renew Vietnam's traditional attire.
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| The collection by designer Lan Huong, inspired by highland motifs, appears on the international stage. (Source: Organizing Board) |
Ao Dai and diverse storytelling
On September 20 at Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge, the main program took place with two Ao Dai shows, bringing together designers and brands from Vietnam, the UK, and the USA.
Alongside the shows was the Heritage and Craft space, showcasing the history of Ao Dai along with the art of silk weaving, embroidery, and traditional crafts, and a networking program that gathered designers, artisans, cultural representatives, journalists, and guests from various countries.
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| Miss Earth England 2026 Sofia Mayers (first on the right) in the Ao Dai collection “Ky uc tram tich”. |
Previously, on September 19, the Ao Dai Parade in central London showcased dozens of Ao Dai garments amidst the iconic streets and landmarks of the UK capital.
Ao Dai Fashion Week London 2026 introduced various approaches to Ao Dai, from traditional techniques to new experiments in materials and design.
Distinguished artisan and designer Lan Huong presented Hanh tinh phon thinh No.2, inspired by nature and the highland culture of Vietnam, featuring hand embroidery and traditional craftsmanship.
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| Miss Charm Bulgaria Christina Valena Ivanova in the Viet Van Ao Dai by Lua Kim. |
Another highlight was The La Khe Silk, which brought traditional weaving looms and tools from Vietnam to London, showcasing the weaving techniques of La Khe village.
In other directions, GENVIET drew inspiration from Chu Dau ceramics to develop designs on denim; Lua Kim combined silk velvet, linen, and brocade in Viet Van; while Le Thanh Danh incorporated images of bamboo and rural life into Tre & Cong sinh. Anna Hoang and Ao Dai UK offered perspectives formed from the cultural fusion of Asia and Europe.
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| Ambassador of Laos to the United Kingdom Mayboua XAYAVONG and his spouse attending Ao Dai Fashion Week London. (Source: Organizing Board) |
Gathering international faces
The London runway brought together many beauty queens, models, and guests from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, France, Italy, and more, including Ms. Charlie Cousin, Miss Charm UK; Ms. Kristina Valeva Ivanova, Miss Charm Bulgaria; Ms. Sofia Mayers, Miss Earth England; along with Mrs. Ao Dai beauty queens and runners-up over the years.
The choice of Ao Dai by international faces on the runway demonstrated the appeal of Vietnamese attire beyond borders, opening a new path for Vietnamese culture and imagery to reach new audiences.
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| Mr. Jepri Edi, Coordinator of Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in London, and his wife at Ao Dai Fashion Week London. |
Nearly 200 people behind the scenes
Ao Dai Fashion Week London 2026 welcomed attendees from over 10 countries and was operated by nearly 200 volunteers from various nations and fields.
In London, 25 makeup experts from Glow by Elena Dragomir, a team founded and led by makeup artist Elena Dragomir, accompanied the models in the shows. Additionally, the media team from ART SPACE, hailing from France, Australia, and Vietnam, along with photographers and creative collaborators from the UK, the USA, and other countries, were present.
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| Designers and brand representatives during the program's closing salute. |
The collective support from professionals worldwide demonstrates the power of a creative network that transcends borders – where expertise, volunteerism, and love for culture converge to create a dazzling international stage for Vietnam's Ao Dai.
The story continues beyond the runway
Attending Ao Dai Fashion Week, Ambassador of Laos to the United Kingdom Mayboua XAYAVONG shared: “Vietnamese culture is very rich, and this event is a wonderful way to promote Vietnamese culture abroad. I think this is a very interesting and useful activity, and I fully support the event.”
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| Designer Lan Huong shares about Hanh tinh phon thinh No.2 - where fashion is a sustainable link of nature. |
Designer Lan Huong stressed: “After more than 20 years accompanying Ao Dai and bringing Ao Dai to many countries, I can say this is one of the most professional international stages I have ever attended.
I hope Ao Dai Fashion Week London will be held annually and become an event awaited by fashion lovers worldwide. Achieving this requires significant preparation and effort from the Organizing Committee.”
Dr. Avis Ellis-Charles, an audience member, shared: “I am truly impressed with the culture and fashion presented here. Ao Dai already has a certain standing in the UK, and this event shows there is still much for the public to explore. Especially, organizing the program during London Fashion Week is a very fitting time.”
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| The founder of Ao Dai Fashion Week - Hoang Ha (third from the right) with the Organizing Committee. (Source: Organizing Board) |
Program director Savita Kaye noted that the special feature of the event is its complete focus on Vietnam, from culture to creativity and talent. This allows audiences from various cultures to discover, experience, and more clearly appreciate the beauty of Vietnam.
“Many cultural events have taken place, but we also wondered if we could do something more special, new, and creative? And we chose to organize a fashion week dedicated to Ao Dai.
That is our desire: to bring Ao Dai not only into cultural events, not only within the Vietnamese community, but to introduce Ao Dai to the international community, bringing Ao Dai into a professional fashion playground,” shared Hoang Ha, Head of the ADFW Organizing Committee.
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| The young group British Born Vietnamese Talents with Miss Charm United Kingdom 2026 - Charlie Cousin and Miss Earth England 2026 Sofia Mayers. |
According to Ms. Dao Thi Hong, First Secretary, Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom, organizing a Fashion Week dedicated to Ao Dai right in London reflects love for the homeland and is the result of the collaboration of many individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally.
“I hope the event will continue to spread, bringing the beauty and cultural values of Ao Dai closer to international friends. Wherever we are, Vietnam is always home, and today in London, that sentiment is expressed through the Ao Dai itself.”
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| Vietnam's Ao Dai captivates international audiences. (Source: Organizing Board) |
Ao Dai Fashion Week London is built with the ambition to create a dedicated space for Ao Dai where designers, artisans, and new ideas can be seen and connected, while bringing this attire closer to the international fashion audience.
From London, the program aims for a longer journey – for Ao Dai to be known not only as a heritage symbol of Vietnam but also to continue being explored, created, and present in the flow of contemporary fashion.
