Taylor’s University Fashion Design Technology students shine on the international stage at Thailand Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024 Gen-Next. Explore the diverse perspectives and creative journeys of these emerging designers who are making waves in the global fashion scene.
Igniting both global, local fashion arenas
The final-year Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology students from Taylor’s University made their mark with pride in Southeast Asia’s most prestigious fashion event, Thailand Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024 (TFW SS24).
The November showing in Thailand marked the programme’s first international runway showcase since its inception in 2020.
Following its triumphant return, the collection was showcased in centre court at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last Christmas.
Featured in the international Gen-Next segment, the students showcased their creative prowess by unveiling 24 avant-garde looks as part of their graduate presentation, which was in line with the programme’s international fashion exposure efforts.
Four of this programme’s final year (Honours) students showcased their avant-garde looks at the TFW SS24 Gen-Next.
“The international graduate showcase that drew inspiration from various cultural influences provided an unparalleled opportunity, captivating the sophisticated and diverse audience with a fusion of innovative designs, craftsmanship, and a keen understanding of contemporary fashion trends.
“This not only showcased the talents of our students, but also underscored the university’s commitment to fostering the next generation of fashion leaders who are able to engage with the industry and broaden their perspective on the global fashion scene — marking a significant milestone in their budding careers,” said Maria Sandra Wijaya, Programme Director for Fashion Design Technology, Taylor’s University.
She added that TFW is renowned for nurturing emerging talent, giving promising young designers a global platform.
Returning home triumphantly, the Fashion Design Technology students of Taylor’s University graced the local stage at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s last Christmas showcase.
It had been an incredible journey for Steffi, a 21-year-old Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology student at Taylor’s University.
“We are grateful for the guidance and support we received from our mentors in the programme at Taylor’s University. This experience has further fuelled our passion for fashion design and opened doors to endless possibilities as we resonate with both the international and local audience,” she said.
As the first private university in Malaysia to offer a degree in Fashion Design Technology, the programme has consistently produced industry-ready graduates with a strong foundation in design, extensive fashion technological knowledge and skills, as well as forward-thinking fashion designs to thrive in the ever-evolving fashion industry landscape.
The following are the graduate showcases featured in the International TFW SS24 Gen-Next session:
Xun Pu by Liu Peiyi
Fusing tradition and modernity, Xun Pu is more than just clothing; it is inspired by Xunpu Village, a fishing village in Fujian, China, and captures its culture and stories.
As oyster shells are the main building material in the village, Liu incorporated them to complement the texture of her garments.
Furthermore, hailing from Guizhou, China, and with the aim of raising awareness through her pieces of diverse cultures of art, she focused her Spring-Summer collection on the traditional Chinese culture of plant hand-dyed designs in blue from fermented leaves of the blue root.
Embrace by Mutiara Dina Sabrina Binti Dzulhafidz
With a passion for fashion art from an early age and a metaphor close to heart, “Breaking out of your shell” is easily depicted by mermaids as a symbol of freedom and exploration that can be translated into different subcultures.
Pink predominates in Mutiara’s collection as a way of educating women to embrace their hyper femininity.
The silhouettes of corset boning and boning drapes with plates mimic the shape of a seashell and a mermaid’s fin, and are complemented by the name Mutiara, which means pearls in English.
Silent Killer by Lee Sharon
Lee’s Spring-Summer collection was thoughtfully designed for bikers, unveiling unisex expressions of oversized and puffy elements such as sleeves, pants, collars and hoods, drawing on her education in Architecture and Interior Design as well as her true testament to narrating meaningful stories through clothing as a profound reflection on the consequences of environmental degradation and genetic experimentation.
The colour palette remains intentionally muted, mirroring the bleakness of the polluted landscapes.
More than a fashion statement, Silent Killer serves as a powerful call to action, sparking conversations and encouraging individuals to take responsibility for the environment, understanding that the fast fashion industry takes a resolute stand.
Maverick by Steffi
Embodying the essence of Gothic Punk elegance by blending a scheme of colours such as black and red to symbolise the rebellion and defiance against conventional fashion norms.
Maverick employed deconstruction techniques to innovatively transform and reinterpret societal expectations on traditional garment structures.
A three-layer fabric technique created a mesmerising colour gradient that added unique texture and depth.
Were any Sarawakian Design students involved?
As the TFW SS24 involvement from Taylor’s University’s Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours) featured final year students, we did not have any Sarawakian student designers from the aforementioned study year participating in this showcase.
However, we have witnessed Sarawakian student designers participate in our programme since its inception and are making steady development. To this, two students from Year 1 and Year 2 who participated in the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s centre court Christmas showcase, as well as a Year 1 student, Arianna Goh, who participated in ‘THE SHOW’ — A Fashion Fusion Showcase 2023, have each demonstrated their ability to push the boundaries of conventional fashion.
