Besides opinions supporting the renovation to bring the ao dai closer to modern life, many people are concerned that many deep-cut designs and style variations are blurring traditional values.
The wave of modern ao dai and the controversy over core values
From the perspective of fashion professionals, designer Quyen Nguyen believes that harmonizing tradition and modernity is not a simple problem.
Most importantly, when looking at modernized ao dai, you can feel the traditional beauty of Vietnamese women, but at the same time see modernity and fashion," the designer who has persistently preserved the soul of ao dai for more than 20 years shared.
According to Ms. Quyen Nguyen, ao dai has irreplaceable characteristics, in which raglan handles and collar are the two most important factors.
Currently, many young designers are confusing the innovation of ao dai. If raglan handles are not kept unchanged, that outfit can easily become a long shirt, but does not retain the nature of ao dai" - Ms. Quyen Nguyen said.
Not denying that creativity is necessary so that ao dai is not "framed", but according to the designer, too deep a slit or too tight binding inadvertently loses the discreetness and elegance - the inherent spirit of ao dai.
When you wear an ao dai that fits your body, it is already beautiful enough. No need for too deep slits to attract attention, because it reduces aesthetic value" - the designer emphasized.
For Ms. Quyen Nguyen, the responsibility of the ao dai designer is not only limited to fashion creativity, but also to preserving and spreading cultural values to generations, especially young people.
Ao Dai innovation needs to go hand in hand with cultural and social awareness
From a cultural perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education - said that Ao Dai is not simply a type of costume, but a symbol associated with the history, identity and soul of Vietnamese people. Innovation is an inevitable trend in the flow of the era. However, Ao Dai innovation needs to start from a thorough understanding of the value and meaning of this costume.
Innovation is not about cutting or destroying, but about selectively innovating, on the basis of respecting the core values that have created the sustainable vitality of ao dai through many generations" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son emphasized.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son believes that today's generation needs to be more fully equipped with awareness of the cultural value of ao dai. That is not only the beauty of appearance, but also the essence, the traditional qualities of Vietnamese women crystallized through the concepts of merit, tolerance, speech, and virtue.
Preserving and innovating cannot only depend on the efforts of designers or professionals, but needs to originate from the common understanding of the whole society about the identity of ao dai. Ao dai should be used in the right context, in appropriate occasions to honor beauty and cultural values, avoiding confusion between ao dai and ordinary fashion items" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son emphasized.
