Vietnam's Huynh Tu Anh Makes History as First Vietnamese on Chanel Runway

Huynh Tu Anh, the 2023 Face Vietnam winner, made history this week by walking in Chanel’s Cruise 2026 fashion show. This marked a significant milestone as she became the first Vietnamese model to grace the brand’s runway. The event took place at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, where she showcased a striking gold tweed A-line dress paired with a pearl necklace featuring the iconic interlocking double C logo and carried a tote bag.

The experience was a dream come true for Huynh, who had previously auditioned for Chanel in Paris without success. She shared that her selection came through an online casting process. "When I received the acceptance email at midnight, I was so happy that I called supermodel Anh Thu right away to share the news." Anh Thu, who had been her mentor during her time on The Face, played a crucial role in guiding her career.

To prepare for the high-profile event, Huynh followed a strict diet and workout routine. For a week leading up to the show, she consumed only eggs, vegetables, chicken breast, and oats while avoiding sugar, dairy, and greasy foods. Two days before the event, she reduced her water intake by more than half. Additionally, she trained at the gym every day instead of her usual three or four times a week.

Chanel is known for its selective and meticulous casting process. The French brand typically seeks models around 175–180 cm tall with strong runway skills and facial features that embody a balance of classic and modern beauty. It also prefers models with smaller measurements. According to Vogue, modeling for Chanel is a goal for many aspiring models worldwide.

For Huynh, walking for Chanel represents a major milestone in her career. She described it as one of the happiest periods in her life. While Thuy Trang had previously modeled for Chanel in 2017 for private shows for VIP clients, Huynh is the first Vietnamese model to be selected through the brand's official casting process.

Looking ahead, Huynh plans to participate in the New York Fashion Week in early 2026. She has signed with agencies Women Management in Paris and Major Model Management in Milan, and has already participated in international fashion weeks. This year, she attended castings in Paris and Milan and was booked for several fall-winter 2025 and spring-summer 2026 shows. She has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Singapore.

According to fashion news outlet WWD, the Cruise 2026 show took place as Singapore prepared to set a new record for international visitor arrivals this year. Chanel last held a show in Singapore in 2013 at the former Loewen Cluster nutmeg plantation. The brand had earlier debuted its Cruise 2026 collection at Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy, in April.

Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel fashion, told WWD that the brand is shifting its focus to other countries as the Chinese market slows. He emphasized that Singapore has become a key luxury market that leads global tourism growth and outperforms regional rivals.