(KPL) The 11th Lao Fashion Week 2024 opened in Vientiane on October 1, cementing its place as the premier international fashion event in Laos.
Running through October 6, the week-long celebration features a blend of fashion and art, with the latest collections from leading domestic and international designers. The main fashion shows will be held from October 2-4, spotlighting various designers on the main stage. Meanwhile, the Designers Pop-Up Store, open to the public, is available from October 1-6 at Parkson Vientiane.
During the opening ceremony, French Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Siv-Leng Chhuor, emphasized the importance of the fashion industry in economic growth. “The fashion sector can significantly contribute to economic development, tourism, and job creation,” she said, reaffirming the French Embassy’s ongoing support for cooperation between Laos and France in fashion.
Lao Fashion Week Founder and CEO, Ms. Pany Saignavongs, reflected on the decade-long journey of the event. “It has been a decade of passion and dedication to developing the fashion sector in Laos. From humble beginnings when the industry barely existed, Lao Fashion Week has now placed Laos on the international fashion map,” she said.

Ms. Pany also highlighted the event's non-profit initiatives, such as the Lao Young Designers Project, which provides scholarships to young Lao talents for studies at prestigious fashion academies. Partnerships include institutions like ESMOD Paris, NAFA Singapore, the London College of Design and Fashion in Hanoi, the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, and leading fashion houses in Bangkok.
Over the years, Lao Fashion Week has nurtured over 40 young Lao designers, contributing significantly to the growth of the local fashion industry. The platform also operates the "Fashion-For-All" project, which collaborates with vocational initiatives to support people with disabilities, promoting co-design and co-production projects that foster independence. 

Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Pany thanked the French Embassy for its long-standing partnership, particularly for hosting the opening reception and supporting the Lao Young Designers' First Prize Winner’s studies at ESMOD Paris.
The 11th anniversary celebration brought together esteemed figures from Lao society, as well as prominent international designers and representatives from global fashion platforms. Ms. Pany extended her appreciation to key international partners, including Andrew Tan, Founder of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Park Soun Yoo, Founder of Seoul Fashion Week, and Lee Sang Hee, CEO of DSA-KLAO Group, who were in attendance.
The evening also provided an opportunity to thank the many sponsors and partners of Lao Fashion Week for their continued support, including Lao Brewery Company, Parkson Laos, Naga Mall, Srichand, and Lao Development Bank.
Lao Fashion Week continues to be a beacon of creativity and collaboration, fostering growth in the fashion and creative industries both locally and internationally.

French Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Siv-Leng Chhuor

Lao Fashion Week Founder and CEO, Ms. Pany Saignavongs

KPL