CrystalPhuong.net is a Personal Style & Travel Blog based in Singapore, written by Crystal Phuong. The blog was nominated FOUR times in Top 10 Best Fashion Blogs in the annual Singapore Blog Award from 2012- 2015, voted as one of the Best Lifestyle Blogs in Singapore in 2013 by Hotelclub.com, and Best Travel Blogs in 2016 by Foodpanda.com. Crystal hopes to connect and inspire young women to lead a healthy and happy life. Be confident, be positive, and be kind.
Instead of a loud and colorful outfit seen on day 1 and day 2, I opted for a polished look with a long vest layered over a turtleneck top and wide-leg pants on day 3 of the Vietnam International Fashion Week.
Thanks REVOLVE for this On Point vest (that's the actual product's name), I'm able to add one more item to my growing long vest collection. Please bear with me while I'm still obsessed with this statement piece, you might see another similar outfit in the next couple of weeks, who knows.
It seems like forever ago since the last time we communicated on this page. I'm fully aware that time has slowly left me quite far behind while I was on the airplane, in the hotel, on the mountain, or by the beach in January. With that said, it's time for a much-needed catch up over here.
As an old saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait. Better things come to those who are patient." I hope this army green outfit fromVietnam International Fashion Week last year is worth the wait. More blog posts will be live at the end of this week for sure.
In the meantime, if you are celebrating Lunar New Year, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful time ahead. May this year shower you with love, laughter, and great health.
Whenever someone asks me about Hanoi, they always make me feel so happy and emotional. Not only because Hanoi has the best coffee and Pho (the famous Vietnamese beef noodle soup), but also it's a place where I call "Home". If I wasn't living in Singapore now, my life would be much different in Hanoi. I wouldn't be a fashion & travel blogger, but a dance instructor instead.
It's crazy to think how a certain decision can lead us to a completely different direction in our life. My story is an example.
I never knew what a blog was and never thought of writing about fashion. I had no interest in any fashion week. My life was all about dance practices, dance competitions, performances, and teaching classes. Guess what? After 11 years, I came back home with two suitcases full of beautiful shoes, clothes, and bags. But it wasn't for any dance competition like how I used to dream of my return trip when I just left the country. I was back to Hanoi for the Vietnam International Fashion Week.
It was the first Fall Winter International Fashion Week organized in the capital of Vietnam. It was also the longest time I've spent in Hanoi since I left the city in 2004.
On the last day of VIFW, I still had 3- 4 outfits unworn (I always pack more than I need especially when I go to a fashion week). Because I didn't know which outfit I should pick for the closing night, I decided to wear them both. Problem solved!
I wore this floral skirt and top set for the half of the night. Any crop-top with a big bow in front will instantly catch my attention. Loud and big floral printed material is a bonus. At first, I thought of pairing this crop top with a wide leg pants, but when I saw a matching skirt placed next to the top on the rack, I couldn't just pick one and leave the other. Besides, a midi skirt with pockets is my absolute favorite. This set became my first choice for a street style opportunity in a blazing afternoon in front of the show venue.
Right after the first segment of the evening was over, I quickly rushed back to my hotel room for a change. Since it's in the late evening, I thought it was a perfect time to show some sparkles on my feet (If you follow my #Crystalshoesgame hashtag on Instagram, you'll know that I'm obsessed with shoes). I bought a pair of Aquazurra shoes quite a while ago and only until VIFW, I could wear them out. It was just a plain pair of suede heels when I bought it. I thought "being plain is just boring" so I spent 2 weeks putting on every single crystal on it. The result is satisfying!
Because the shoes are so attention grabbing, I wanted to go light on the outfit and let my feet do the talking. I opted for a white lace top and a white pencil skirt. It probably was the most ordinary outfit that I've worn at the fashion week, but what I wanted was people looking at my beautiful shoes which they did. Was I noticeable enough? I think I was.
Front row seatmate!
Catching up with some old friends at the show
With Vietnamese fashion designer, Hoang Minh Ha after the show
With my lovely sister, Thuy Van, 2nd runner up Miss Vietnam International 2015
THE SHOW
Luala Atelier, a Vietnamese brand focusing on ready-to-wear fashion opened the night with a collection that emphasizes classic silhouettes and colors for the women at work.
DressCamp from Japan brought the Japanese culture on the runway and reminded me of one thing. Fashion should always be fun or not at all.
A video posted by Vietnam Intl Fashion Week (@vietnamintlfashionweek) on
French couture designer, Dany Atrache presented a romantic symphony with a collection that features a beautiful pastel color palette on a light and airy gowns.
Vietnamese fashion brand, Ivy Moda surprised me with a collection called "The Marble". As the name suggests, beautiful marble printed dresses with basic colors: black, white, and blue were seen on the models as they walked down the runway. I love the Va-va-voom factor in this collection.
I managed to capture a slow-mo of this dress just to show you how beautiful it looked on the runway. Totally my style!
A video posted by Vietnam Intl Fashion Week (@vietnamintlfashionweek) on
Last but not the least, the most anticipated show of the night was Le Thanh Hoa's fashion show and it wasn't disappointing. From the preparation (dry leaves transported from miles away for this show) to the dresses, everything was perfect.
Obsessed with every piece in this collection of a young and talented designer's
A video posted by Vietnam Intl Fashion Week (@vietnamintlfashionweek) on
Literally, there was no better way to end the night and end the Spring/Summer fashion week. By the time, you are reading this, we are now preparing for the first Fall/Winter fashion week in Hanoi this coming November. I don't know what the organizer has up their sleeves just yet, but if you follow us closely on Instagram or Facebook, you shall find out.
Till then, thank you so much for reading! Thank you for having me as a part of Vietnam Fashion Week. It was a wonderful journey by far!
[name=Crystal Phuong]
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[description=Singapore Travel & Lifestyle Blogger, hoping to connect and inspire young women to lead a healthy and happy life]
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