More than 400 people attended the February 20 opening to get their first glimpse of the collection – and the invitees and two models showcasing the garments mingled and perused while champagne flowed to the sounds of a live jazz band.

The London Centre of Fashion Studies director of studies, Viviane Pearson, says the launch reminded her of home.

“It is so refreshing to see this in Hanoi, it’s like being in London,” Ms Pearson said.

Two models in the spring summer 2009 collection

Local expatriate Marie Darbousset has lived in Hanoi for two years and says she was delighted to see the launch of the new label.

“It’s wonderful to have somewhere to shop that suits the style of clothing and fashion I love,” Ms Darbousset said.

“It’s also nice to know that the clothes and jewellery will change through out the season and are being made in limited quantities.”

Setting a new benchmark in style in Vietnam, the victoria roe collection is sure to see you make your way to the store, and keep returning for more.

victoria roe is being sold on the 3rd floor, Tan My Design, 61 Hang Gai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Guaranteed to set a new benchmark in a market where few quality fashion labels exist, the spring summer 2009 collection by victoria roe is being sold at Tan My Design on Hanoi’s Hang Gai Street from next week.

The release of the collection also marks the launch of the label victoria roe. Created by British designer Victoria Roe, the label creates simple, stylish garments which reflect the highest quality of design, material and manufacture.

The label’s design team consists of Victoria and Vietnamese designer Vu Thao, bringing together the very best elements of East and West.

Victoria says this collection was created specifically for Vietnam.

“We focus on ‘the working, internationally-aware woman’ who wants simple, well-cut and well-made garments at sensible prices,” Victoria says.

“The age of our customer is not as important as her lifestyle and character.

“It’s not just about buying the perfect new evening dress, it’s also about the perfect top, jacket and pair of trousers to wear to work or to meet friends for coffee or go out to dinner.

“Our customer also wants pieces that she can bring into her existing wardrobe.”

The garments are made in small quantities and the collection will change throughout the season, which means customers can visit the Tan My Design boutique at least once a month and be sure to find something new on each visit. The sizes available range from size 6 to size 12.

Victoria says the designs are about embracing the female form.

“It’s not about showing everything, but about creating interesting silhouettes,” she says.

“You can change a woman’s shape or accentuate certain areas of her body through use of cut, colour and fabric.

“It is also important that we take advantage of the best that is available in Vietnam – sourcing the fabrics within Vietnam, having the clothes made at local manufacturers and the accessories, such as the silver and wooden jewellery, made in the country.

“Fashion is a collaborative, creative process and, above all else, that’s what this fashion label is — it’s a meeting of East and West, from the personnel involved and the materials we use through to the cultural influences that inspire our creative processes and the accessories which are an intrinsic part of our design.”

To get a sneak preview of what will be available this spring/summer, visit the victoria roe website – www.victoriaroe.com

Collection launch

When:     From 8.00am, Friday February 20.

Where:    Tan My Design, 61 Hang Gai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

Contacts for Interviews

Victoria Roe (UK) — Ho Chi Minh, Fashion Designer and Lecturer

Ms Roe, 31, is the Fashion Design lecturer at the London Centre for Fashion Studies in Hanoi where she has been since 2006. Following her undergraduate degree in fashion in Bristol and her Master’s studies at the London School of the Arts Central Saint Martins, Victoria started the label victoria roe. She has taught fashion at the University of the West of England and at the South East Essex College in the UK.
email: info@victoriaroe.com  mobile:  +84 (0)904 927 072

Vu Thao (Vietnam) — Hanoi, Fashion Designer

Ms Thao, 29, Graduated, in 2008, from London Centre for Fashion Studies, Hanoi, with a Distinction.  Following graduation she joined  victoria roe.
email: thaomia@gmail.com   mobile:  +84 (0)912 370 902

view/download media release

The website offers internet users the opportunity to browse collections, find stockist information and contact the label directly.

Designer Victoria Roe says she’s pleased to have an online presence and give people the chance to see the label’s latest and past collections.

“Its important to provide people with a range of ways they can access the collections,” Ms Roe said.

“We want to give women interested in our garments the chance to see them before they even step foot inside the stores.

“It’s also a great way to showcase the styling and look we bring to photographs, which is also another important focus of my work.”

Ms Roe says launching the website on New Years Day makes it particularly special because it signposts the work that’s been happening behind the scenes for the past year and heralds the beginning of a new stage for the label.

“It’s a fantastic way to bring in the new year,” Ms Roe said.

“2009 is already shaping up to be an exciting year – with the launch of the spring summer 2009 collection in February and the autumn winter 2009 range later in the year.”

“We look forward to adding more content and communicating with our clients through this important medium.”

The owner of the cutting-edge fashion company, Nino Dietrich, has a long-standing connection with Vietnam and given designer Victoria Roe’s high profile in the country, nino d seized the opportunity to be the first to sell the label’s garments outside of Vietnam.