Some of the Miss SEA Games this week completed the final touches to their outfits and hairstyles before they represent Laos at the SEA Games next month. Make-up artists and hairdressers from beauty salons in Vientiane demonstrated the looks that will be on show during the event, all in keeping with traditional Lao culture. Organising committee member responsible for Miss SEA Games, Mr Sopha Inthavong, said that to showcase Lao identity to visitors and guests, they had closely focused on unique Lao dress and weaving.
“We have had discussions with the Lao Women’s Union to come up with traditional clothing using Lao silk, which reflects traditional designs,” he said. “We also focused on the design and fabric used for making skirts. We are using traditional weaving styles because we want to promote the skills of Lao weavers.” Mr Sopha said the display of traditional Lao dress will show visitors a variety of Lao textiles and make the Miss SEA Games beautiful in a uniquely Lao way.
Apart from the aesthetics of the traditional costumes, the committee also wanted to focus on the natural beauty of the Miss SEA Games, so they chose eight beauty salons to pamper them, from polishing their nails to doing their hair and make-up. Hairdressers are very particular about the styling of buns because this especially shows off a woman’s beauty and the art of hairdressing Lao style. The 30 ladies who will carry placards in the stadium will bun their hair in the traditional style, adorned with real gold and vay flowers.
Those who lead the parade will have a similar bun but just a little bit lower and decorated with frangipani, the national flower. Six ladies who modelled their traditional costumes and hairstyles this week will have their photo taken for a calendar to be published by the Ministry of Information and Culture, which will be distributed during the games. Thirty costumes will be worn by the ladies carrying country name placards, while 100 costumes will be used for those presenting medals.
They will wear a different costume each day depending on the sporting event, but all of them will showcase Lao culture and beauty. The committee is ready for the games and is confident the government has provided sufficient effort and funding to make the Miss SEA Games a stunning success.
Source: Vientiane Times
