7 February 2022, Vientiane – After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Lao Fashion Week 2022 (LFW2022) made a comeback with 29 collections at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane on 4-7 February 2022.

Two Filipino designers – Reynier Abello, for his brand Armada, and Don Protasio – joined established Lao designers as well as designers from Indonesia and Thailand in interpreting LFW2022’s theme “Think Earth”.

Instead of bringing their collections to Vientiane, Armada and Don Protasio shot digital content from their studios and the streets of Phnom Penh, where both are based. These were broadcast at the main stage during the first evening of LFW2022 which followed a hybrid format this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Armada collection featured romantic silhouettes in solid colors of white, yellow, beige, black and blue, with generous helpings of religious-themed accessories.   

Reynier Abello’s collection for the “Think Earth” theme of LFW2022 (photos courtesy of Lao Fashion Week 2022)

Don Protasio’s menswear collection entitled “Dark Matter” showed elevated streetwear in monochromatic black and white with his signature play in lengths and proportions.

Don Protasio’s collection for LFW2022 entitled “Dark Matter” shot in the streets of Phnom Penh (photos courtesy of Lao Fashion Week 2022)

The second evening, February 6, featured emerging Lao designers and previous winners of the Young Lao Designers Award. Mr. Anousith Pheangkhamphat, who trained at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, was one of the Lao designers featured that evening. 

This is the 8th edition of Lao Fashion Week, the most prestigious international fashion event in Laos, whose objective is to support young Lao talents and develop the Lao fashion industry. Aside from the main stage shows on February 5 and 6, there were designer pop-up stores at the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane during the entire duration of LFW2022.  

Philippine Embassy officials, headed by H.E. Deena Joy D. Amatong, Ambassador-Designate of the Philippines to Laos, all dressed in Filipino fashion, attended the event in support of the Filipino designers. The full list of designers and their collections can be viewed through the Facebook page of Lao Fashion Week 2022.END