Hmong fashion show unveils new talent
A 16-year-old beauty, Ms Yer Vang, won first prize at a Hmong fashion
show held in Xaythany district in Vientiane over the weekend.

The well presented and intelligent Ms Yer is a member of the well-
known performance group Nasala, which explains her excellent singing,
dancing and stage presence.

Audience members were captivated by her beautiful voice when she sang
the traditional song Khubthoum , bestowing praises on government
leaders in her mother tongue...more info and photos >>

Ms Yer also won the popular vote from the audience in addition to
being awarded first place by the judges.

Over two nights, audiences flocked to enjoy the spectacular fashion
show and performances of traditional Hmong dancing and singing.

Thirty-one participants from the district were selected to take part
in the show by showcasing traditional Hmong clothing and culture,
while competing for prizes.

Ms Chua Her, a 17-year-old participant taking a course in
environmental studies at the National University of Laos, said after a
month of rehearsals and preparation she had learnt how to live
alongside different people and express and share ideas and feelings.



She decided to take part in the show because she wanted to entertain
people with her singing and dancing skills.

“I felt so excited about performing on stage with friends in front of
a crowd. I believe the show has helped build up my confidence and
ability,” Ms Chua Her said.

A highlight of the event was a group dance involving all participants
dressed in traditional Hmong costumes that originated from Luang
Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.

Various community groups from Xaythany district were invited to
entertain audiences with singing and dancing performances during the
event.

Xaythany District Governor Bounthong Phommachan said the fashion show
was held to coincide with the Hmong New Year which occurs next month,
and aimed to promote tourism in the district.



“We spent a lot of effort and resources to organise this show because
we want to preserve and encourage Hmong culture, so people in Laos and
foreign countries can learn more about Hmong people and their customs
and traditions,” he said.

“Their performances on stage will provide much pride for Hmong people
and encourage them to preserve and promote their cultural identity.”
Mr Bounthong hoped the success of the event would encourage other
ethnic groups to organise similar shows to preserve their cultures.

Organisers hope the event will became an annual affair.

By Vientiane Times
More photos at
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=22755395

The Lao Brewery Company Limited chose Phouvong Jewelry to design the Jewelries for 2008 Beer Lao calendar girls.

"I feel very proud that the Lao Brewery Company Limited chose us to be a designer of Jewelries for 2008 Beer Lao calendar girls"

"Their style is different and was never made before because their cost is very high. Or it can be said that Beer Lao is the initiative of this production."

Mr Phouvong Phamisith, owner of Phouvong Jewelry in the Morning Market said: “This is the first work especially for Beer Lao and it is never made for others. Even though this work is hard, taking two months to finish and the cost is high, dressing and jewelries of every girl will be more distinctive than other years.”...more info

Based on the patterns book of Master Bounleung, patterns on the jewelries are modified to fit the girls and the era. In particular, the jewelries have big and thick shape in order to create excitement at their difference.

The most special aspect of the jewelries is that they are made of real gold bullion, comprising of four pairs of earrings, 11 bracelets, six big lockets, two buckles, a belt and a gold necklace. The total cost (both material and labour cost) reaches not less than USD 20,000. We make the special jewelries particularly for Beer Lao free of charge (sponsorship).

Mr Phouvong Phamisith added: “We will keep this set of jewelries as souvenirs in our museum and we do not sell them because they are the outstanding product with special uniqueness. They are shown off to the public as well as foreigners with the aim of helping them know the pattern art of Laos.



He concluded: “In the past 5-6 years we designed and made silver jewelries for many parties for the purpose of advertising and calendar producing. Therefore, if you are interested in it, please contact our shop at the shopping mall in the Morning Market.

Source: targetlao magazine
More photos of Miss Beer Lao
http://picasaweb.google.com/samakomlao/LaoIdols

Ms Tunee Lasasombath from Vientiane was crowned the winner of this year's Miss Apone Lao pageant on Saturday night, delighting her local fans.

The 18-year-old finalist received a crown worth 14 million kip, cash worth 30 million kip and other gifts after being named the winner...more info

In choosing the winner, the judging panel considered the attitude of the contestants, looking to see if they were true Lao women, how well they answered the questions put to them and how they had behaved in the run-up to the contest.

The 169-cm-tall Ms Tunee gave what the judges considered to be the best answers to the final question of what the ideal Miss Apone Lao winner should be - that real Lao women should be polite, well-behaved, but by no means weak.

“When they called my name, I kept asking myself whether this was really happening,” she told Vientiane Times yesterday.

“I was so happy just to be one of the 18 finalists, and this is just so much more than I had expected!”

“I plan to keep my crown, so that I can wear it on special occasions, and the money I've won will go towards my education,” she said.

The runner-up was Khoutthavon Akkhalath, 19, from Vientiane province, who received 15 million kip in cash, as well as a cash and other gifts.

Four finalists shared second place as runners-up - Manivan Phomsavath, 19, from Luang Prabang province, Souphavadee Phongsavanh, 18, from Savannakhet province, Anoulack Vongsoulee, 20, from Vientiane , and Sithameena Bouapha, 18, from Savannakhet province.

Ms Sithameena was also voted the most beautiful contestant by the local media, and received a separate prize worth 5 million kip.

Miss Souphavadee was voted by the public as the most beautiful contestant, with the highest number of votes received via SMS on a system set up by mobile phone company tigo.

Originally, 18 finalists were chosen to take part in Saturday's contest, but one of them, Ms Phoulatsamee Lattanavong, withdrew from the event.

Ms Tunee, as the 2007 Miss Apone Lao, will be considered a representative of Laos, and will act as an ambassador for Lao culture and traditions, both locally and internationally.

This is the largest beauty contest in the country, and the first that the government has been involved in.

The hosts, the Lao Women's Union and K&C Company Ltd, selected nine out of 350 Vientiane applicants for the final round. In Savannakhet and Champassak provinces, about 140 women applied and three from each province were selected to compete in the final. In Luang Prabang province, 55 women applied, and three were chosen.

The Lao Women's Union and K&C Company Ltd plan to hold this contest each year until 2010.

Source: vientianetimes newspaper via laosmile