Miss Universe contestants to don Ao dai for charity

Eighty Miss Universe 2008 competitors will gather in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24 for Thanh Nien newspaper’s charity show in which they’ll don Ao dai (traditional Vietnamese tunics) created by local designers.

Titled Duyen dang Ao dai (Charming Ao dai), the charity show is organized by Thanh Nien Film and aims to raise money for the Nguyen Thai Binh Fund for disadvantaged students with outstanding academic records. A woman models ao dais created by designer Lien Huong. Huong will join three other designers in dressing 80 Miss Universe contestants for Thanh Nien newspaper’s charity event on June 24 in Ho Chi Minh City. Several prizes will be awarded, including one for “Best in Ao dai.” Four homegrown designers – Sy Hoang, Lien Huong, Vo Viet Chung and Thuan Viet, will dress 20 women each. Huong, who has been working on the collection for nearly a month says, “I have learnt the different features and attractions of the beauties through several websites to be ableto make the best Ao dai for them. “My Ao dai are created in bright and colorful velvets and silks, which will accentuate the stunning curves of the Miss Universe contestants.” Viet, the youngest designer in the show, says he feels pressure to create dresses that are distinguished from those of his seniors. He says he’s decided to focus on the color black for his collection and will incorporate velvet, lace, crystal and hand embroidery. The event, directed by Duong Thao with music by composer Duc Tri, will also include performances by popular local singers like My Linh, Phuong Thanh, Ho Ngoc Ha and the boy band AC&M, to name a few. The charity program is scheduled for 20:00 on June 24 at HCMC’s Hoa Binh Theater, District 10. Reported by Da Ly http://www.thanhniennews.com/