KUCHING: Twenty-one fashion designers from Southeast Asia as well as local designers from Malaysia will be taking part in Sarawak’s inaugural Best of Asean Designers (BOAD19) event.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Karim told a press conference here yesterday that the event would be held at The Spring Mall from September 6-8 while the Gala Night would take place at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
The objectives of the event are to showcase the unique looks by designers from various countries as well as to promote Sarawak as a tourism destination for creative pursuits such as arts, crafts and fashion.
“In line with the Visit Sarawak campaign this year, we are expecting more tourists to come over when international events like this are held,” he added.
Among the notable Malaysian designers who are taking part are respected local artisans like Ranong Peru and emerging designers Catherine Wong and Wan Noor Bainun from Sarawak.
Karim revealed that the fashion show would also feature 30 models from SEA.
The runway shows would allow the audience to gain insights into the latest fashion trends while giving designers the opportunity to engage with new customers and fellow designers from Sarawak, he explained.
“During the BOAD19, there will be a series of workshops in Kuching including ‘Create Your Signature Style Workshops’ which will be held on Sept 7 at The Spring Mall,” revealed Karim.
“These workshops will feature top professional makeup brands from Indonesia and “LT-PRO” will be hosting a workshop where participants will learn signature tips and techniques from professional experts,” he added.
According to the minister, renowned grooming consultant from Singapore, Ida Ong, together with leading makeup and hair creative directors from Singapore, Tinoq Goh and Dylan Chan, will also be present to showcase their expertise that focuses on helping women to identify the right silhouettes, colours and styles for different types of body and face shapes as well as lifestyles.
The registration fee for each workshop is only RM50 per person and tickets for the Gala Nite will be on sale at RM128 each.
Meanwhile, countries that will be participating are: Malaysia (Orson Liyu, Michael Ooi, Fion Poon, Ranong Peru, Catherine Wong and Wan Bainun); Singapore (Hayden Ng, Sylvia Lim and Terry Yeo); Laos (Bandid Lasavong and Pui Sengsoudeth); Philippines (Pat Santos and Dave Ocampo); Indonesia (Lenny Agustin and Dibya Hody); Myanmar (Min Thu Ryein; Brunei – Fadzil Hadin); Cambodia (Natacha Van); Vietnam (Ha Linh Thu); Thailand (Pitnapat Yotinratanachai) and China (Fan Yan Yan).
Also present at the press conference was the Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry Hii Chang Kee.
