Extra - Curricular

Amid the moss-covered charm of Loc Yen ancient village and fragrant golden rice fields, 23 eco-fashion designs created from areca flower sheaths by Fashion Design students at Duy Tan University (DTU) became the most spectacular and electrifying highlight of the 5th Loc Yen-Thanh Binh village festival in 2026.

 

The collection was showcased at the “Areca Sheath Creativity & Loc Yen-Thanh Binh Tourism Development Connection Day”, organized by the People’s Committee of Thanh Binh commune (Danang municipality), the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association (VIETCRAFT), and DTU as part of the 2026 Loc Yen ancient village festival.

 

There were no dazzling LED lights or glossy catwalks. Instead, a winding path through the ripe rice fields became a natural runway full of emotions, where areca flower sheaths were proudly reborn in an entirely new form.

 

Women from Thanh Binh commune gracefully opened the show in traditional outfits rich in cultural identity: ao ba ba, ao dai, and attire of the Co ethnicity with rustic areca-sheath accessories. The DTU students, from their side, brought a wholly novel experience. They defied conventions with their modern touch to bring youthful, dynamic collections that transcend established structures.

 

The 23 creations by DTU’s young designers breathed new life into areca sheaths as a rustic material and transformed local beauty into a confident fashion language showcased across five distinctive collections:

 

Everyday Collection - When everyday life meets the breath of nature

 

 

 

DTU students presenting the Everyday Collection

 

Inspired by the simplest aspects of everyday life, the Everyday Collection offers a new definition of eco-fashion: approachable, highly wearable, and anything but ordinary.

 

Working with rough fabrics and supple raw silk, DTU’s young designers skillfully incorporated modern silhouettes - from youthful short pleated skirts, flowing maxi dresses, and elegant round-neck crop tops to charming strapless pinafore dresses.

 

The areca sheaths were used for more than accessories. They were painstakingly woven into intricate checkerboard patterns used as skirt waistbands, waist-defining corset belts, handmade floral embellishments, and distinctive buttons.

 

Bamboo straw hats and handwoven handbags were the matching accessories. Together, they created a harmonious and elegant collection full of everyday vitality.

 

Urban Collection - Alluring contrast between local rustic charm and sharp urban thinking

 

Urban Collection

 

 

Bringing the vibrant, free-spirited rhythm of urban life into the moss-covered setting of an ancient village, the Urban Collection is a statement of individuality from a young generation unafraid to break out of the beaten path.

 

The collection made a strong impression with its fashionable unisex/genderless design philosophy. The menswear pieces featured wide-leg shorts with half-sleeves secured with woven belts and distinctive rows of hand-braided buttons.

 

The womenswear pushed boundaries with sharply structured one-shoulder peplum dresses and uniquely shaped halter dresses. Areca sheaths were “urbanized” through large weavings for breastplates, sturdy collars, wooden-handle handbags, and stylized straw hats.

 

The interplay of contemporary silhouettes, decisive cuts, and rustic local materials created a distinctive overall aesthetic infused with a modern spirit.

 

Resort Collection - Symphony of freedom amid fragrant nature

 

 

 

 

 

DTU students presenting the Resort Collection

 

Taking viewers away from the city noise, the Resort Collection gives space to relaxation in freedom, tranquility, and emotion through the undulations of eco-friendly materials.

 

The collection makes extensive use of the soft drape of silk, chiffon, and premium raw silk in beige and pristine cloud-white tones.

 

The silhouettes are designed for complete relaxation: silk maxi dresses that billow in the breeze, sets of crop-top and high-waisted straight skirt that flatter the figure, strapless dresses, and soft short dresses with puff sleeves.

 

The artistry of the areca flower-sheath treatment reaches a particularly refined and poetic level in this collection. Intricately shaped 3D flowers of areca flower-sheath are arranged spontaneously along dress hems, while areca leaf sheaths are curved and layered to resemble natural bibs. These elements are paired with heritage-inspired accessories such as areca-sheath fans, wide-spreading fans, and hand-woven flowers.

 

Each design offers a breath of peace, creating a complete connection between people and nature.

 

Cocktail Collection - When rustic materials enter the realm of elegant eveningwear

 

 

Cocktail Collection

 

The most surprising and spectacular transformation came from the Cocktail Collection, where rough areca sheaths are elevated into a language of high fashion - glamorous and alluring.

 

The designs focus on cuts that celebrate the shapes of the female body: seductive fitted strapless dresses, sensual slit-overlay skirts, glamorous glossy-silk halter dresses, and elegant peplum skirt sets.

 

The spirit of eveningwear is fully expressed through the sophisticated contrast between lustrous silk and the alluring roughness of the areca sheaths. The material is ingeniously transformed into wide belts that define a slender waist, structured woven corsets that contour the body, distinctive upper-arm bands, and elegant checkerboard hand fans.

 

The collection is a statement of the confidence, elegance, and allure of the modern woman.

 

Avant-garde Collection - Liberating the mind & eco-fashion climax

 

 

 

 

Avant-garde Collection

 

As the most explosive finale, the Avant-garde Collection took audiences into the realm of pure fashion art, where areca sheaths break free from all the usual functional limitations and become a proud medium for sculptural forms.

 

The collection stuns the eye with one-of-a-kind 3D architectural silhouettes: woven areca-sheath skirts with exaggerated puffed-up hips, areca leaf sheaths shaped into enormous flowers that embrace the shoulders, fan-shaped areca sheath fibers that spread across the chest like a sculpture, flowing mullet skirts, and striking asymmetrical hats.

 

The collection not only demonstrates the breakthrough talent of DTU’s young designers but also opens up a new vision: sustainable fashion can absolutely reach the highest levels of artistic expression.

 

 

A winding path through the ripe rice fields became a natural runway full of emotions

 

With their impressive appearance at the “Areca Sheath Creativity & Loc Yen-Thanh Binh Tourism Development Connection Day” (part of the 2026 Loc Yen ancient village festival), all five distinctive collections were developed and realized as part of the CDIO course project (FSH496) by students in Fashion Design at the Faculty of Applied Arts, DTU School of Engineering & Technology.

 

Large crowds of local residents and visitors watched the DTU students’ unique fashion show

 

The intersection of an academic project and a large-scale runway at the Loc Yen village festival gave DTU’s young talents an invaluable real-world experience. Going beyond concept sketches and workshop prototypes, stepping onto the natural runway at the heart of the festival allowed students to unleash their creativity, master techniques for working with real-world eco-friendly materials, learn how to operate a professional fashion show, and confidently tackle challenges beyond the classroom.

 

This is invaluable preparation that strengthens the professional skills and confidence of future designers while they are still in school!

 

(Media Center)