For fashion enthusiasts, this collection is not entirely new, as Nguyen Minh Cong had previously unveiled it in 2021, causing a sensation on social media. Using delicious ingredients like banh xeo, banh duc, xoi vi, cha gio re, banh tam,... Minh Cong transformed them into colorful dresses and gowns through the art of arrangement.

According to Nguyen Minh Cong, he created this collection during the COVID-19 social distancing period rather spontaneously. While visiting his hometown in Binh Tan, Vinh Long, he got stuck due to the social distancing measures. With spare time on his hands, he took cakes and turned them into flared dresses, posting them on Facebook for fun. Little did he expect to receive so much love and admiration. This led him to continue this endeavor and create the "Fashion - Food" collection featuring 20 unique designs. In November 2021, the Vietnam Record Organization officially recognized Nguyen Minh Cong for "Being the first in Vietnam to creatively produce a mini fashion collection using materials from the culinary delights of the Southwestern region."

Accepting the invitation from the Organizing Committee of the Southern Folk Cake Festival, Nguyen Minh Cong participated in showcasing his record-breaking collection once more. Using five ingredients - xoi vi, banh xeo, banh tam, bap ham and banh duc - and featuring Miss Continental Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc as the portrait, the festival's image ambassador, Minh Cong created stunning garments. Even the main character, Bao Ngoc, was astounded by this creativity. Watching Minh Cong skillfully flatten the sticky rice, meticulously trim it with scissors, and arrange it, it transformed into a beautiful gown in the blink of an eye, earning him praise and applause from the audience. Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, a tourist from An Giang province, remarked, "Mr. Cong is incredibly skillful; I loved this collection when it was first introduced, but now, seeing him create it in person, I'm even more impressed." Traditional cake artisan Ly Thi Bich Ha from AZ Cakes in Ninh Kieu district, who assisted designer Nguyen Minh Cong in preparing the materials for the collection, was also amazed. Ha stated that she never imagined that with just a handful of sticky rice or a piece of banh xeo, one could create such artistic masterpieces.

Nguyen Minh Cong graduated in fashion design from the Hong Bang International University. Despite his relatively short career, he quickly established himself in the fashion industry. He was awarded the "Inspirational Figure of the Year" at the Men&Life Awards 2023, following previous achievements like being the runner-up in Emerging Designer 2016, and a top 5 contestant on Project Runway Vietnam 2014. He has also been the designer behind numerous outfits worn by Vietnamese beauty contestants in international pageants. Starting his formal journey into the fashion world in 2014, during his second year as a student, designer Nguyen Minh Cong has amassed an impressive decade of experience with a string of notable accomplishments.

Speaking about his collection inspired by traditional folk cakes, Minh Cong expressed his desire to promote the cultural value of Southern Folk Cakes and make them more relatable and endearing to the younger generation. In the future, traditional cakes will continue to be his source of inspiration for designing fashion, participating in events, and competing in international beauty pageants.