The MODA Festival at the National Art Gallery is still going on, and its fashion exhibition runs through December 30. A slew of activities were held throughout the month to commemorate the momentous occasion, and well-known designers from all over Malaysia, who are members of the association, gathered to celebrate.
Empowering the country’s fashion industry
The MODA Festival at the National Art Gallery (NAG) is still going on, with its fashion exhibition closing on December 30.
In conjunction with its anniversary, renowned designers from all over Malaysia who are members of the association came together to celebrate the momentous occasion with a variety of activities throughout the month of December 2022.
It kick-started at the beginning of December with the official launch of MODA’s coffee table book entitled “Malaysian Fashion; A Journey in Colour”.
The book chronicles MODA’s journey over the past 30 years, as well as profiles of acclaimed designers and exclusive artworks by 38 multi-talented MODA members. As a special feature, the book doubles up as an adult colouring book with pages of sketches from the featured designers.
The coffee table book was a collaborative project between MODA and Raffles staff and students, who worked closely with MODA to develop and implement the book’s creative concepts.
The idea and concept of the book were first mooted by Senior Lecturer in Fashion Management of Raffles College of Higher Education, Sabi Sohrahbi to MODA’s training and Education Committee Member Juita Jalil on January 5, 2021.
The book finally materialised with the persistent and diligent effort of the final year students of the International Fashion Business, Marketing & Management faculty, together with the commitment of the MODA member.
The publication of the book is a testament to the perseverance of MODA, constantly supporting and empowering the country’s fashion industry over the years, according to the message from MODA’s President Melinda Looi.
The book costs RM149.90 and is available at the National Art Gallery bookstore as well as major BookXcess outlets.
The book launch’s attendees were also entertained by a fashion show featuring the designers and their models. They walked all the way down the spiral walkway from the upper floors of NAG to the main stage on the ground floor.
The guests and participants were mostly Malaysian fashion industry movers and shakers.
The fashion exhibition, which is opened to the public and tourists, will stay on the spiral walkway till December 30 at NAG.
To name a few exhibits, there is intricate embroidery crafted onto a pink outfit designed by Khoon Hooi; an artistic piece by Melinda Looi with woven fibre possibly from Sarawak; and a checked gown by Michael Ooi, the Penang designer who won the Most Promising Fashion Award at Borneo Fashion Week 2018.
The ‘MODA-MIYO’ fashion colouring contest, which was held for children aged 4 to 12, was a fun activity. The results were simply amazing, and if a five-year-old child can colour so well, she clearly has talent. She’ll become a fashion designer or an artist one day.
Our writer also participated in other December activities. The forums and workshops were valuable to attend and perfectly suited for fashion students.
Jonathan Yun, a sculptural jeweller from Penang, spoke about restoring Peranakan jewellery and how it can be worn as a piece with modern clothing.
MR WORLD MALAYSIA 2022/23 Joshua Benedict shared how he discovered through Yun that wearing a restored piece with his suit was very fashionable.
It was a good reminder in the ‘Sustaining Fashion, Culture, and Tradition in the Modern World’ forum, which was well moderated by Juita Jalil, that we should not forget our heritage and to add a touch of culture to our dressing.
John Ang, a Malay Textile Connoisseur and Collector; Nini Marini, President of CITRA and Multi- Artiste; and Zahalina Rahman, Founder and Designer of Bahari Asyek, were among the well-known speakers.
Moreover, silk textiles and apparels by Shikha Grover for KIMKARA ‘ART on SILK’ were available for purchase as our writer made a third trip to NAG.
