What a thrill it was recently to celebrate Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2022’s return after two years of virtual hybrid fashion shows, as well as its 10th anniversary.
KL Fashion Week physical shows are back
Following the absence of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) physical shows due to the pandemic, most people are desperate for a real show.
Imagine the crowds that flocked to this much-anticipated event, which featured numerous local designers’ ready-to-wear collections on the runway from August 17 to August 21, 2022.
Over the past decade, KLFW has helped numerous talented Malaysian designers in breaking into the global fashion industry, while also cultivating a network of fashion-forward individuals.
Its founder Andrew Tan said, “When I first started in 2013, I realised it would be a tremendous risk and a huge undertaking. I had previously worked for other fashion week event organisers and had many reservations about the benefits it provided to Malaysian designers. I had a different vision in mind, and Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week should serve the following purposes. We established three parameters: The first is to generate tremendous interest in Malaysian fashion; the second is to raise awareness of the Ready-to-Wear Collection as an addition to the Designers’ Made-to-Measure Business Model; and the third is to develop strategies to maintain the viability of the Malaysian Fashion Industry through networking and knowledge sharing. I am proud to say that Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week met all three of our parameters, and with 2022 marking our tenth year, it marks the end of an outstanding fashion chapter.”
Whether ready-to-wear, avant-garde, couture, or athleisure, KLFW has established itself as the pinnacle of fashion in Malaysia by showcasing every style, trend, and outrageous performance on its catwalk at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, a significant collaborator in the fashion industry.
” While the shows are the most glamorous aspects of KL Fashion Week, we are heartened by the success of emerging local designers, some of whom have gone on to become established brand names with retail stores in our malls. The positive impact on the Malaysian fashion industry is evident, and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is happy to be a part of this important legacy,” said Kung Suan Ai, Director of Marketing, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
“Sponsors of the KLFW include Pavilion KL, AmBank, Samsung, Vespa, Isuzu, Poh Kong, Moccona, and TIMEdotCom. Along with our partners, AirAsia, Brandavision, Shu Uemura, Oribe/Miko, Nobel, Glam, and Harper’s Bazaar. They each bring something special to the table that changes how we work, interact with one another, and use technology,” added Tan.
The #iAmMalaysian Campaign by AmBank was part of KLFW, and the afternoon show featured the Designer Search and Model Search by Samsung. There were three winners in each of the search categories.
There was also a collaboration with Mimpikita, a A Doodle Decal Contest by Vespa Malaysia, Poh Kong collaborating with Malaysian designer Jimmy Lim, Isuzu Malaysia collaborating with Super Sunday, and Moccona Coffee collaborating with Khatreena, as well as a partnership with AirAsia Academy of Kuala Lumpur Fashion.
Several Sarawakian fashion designers, as well as the writer, were invited to the KLFW 2022 Opening Show on August 17.
It was difficult to obtain an invitation to any of the shows, especially on its opening day, which went off without a hitch.
We’d like to express our gratitude to Fashion Designer Melvin Shah for inviting us. It was nice to see his yellow Faux Fake Sheepskin outfit in trendy style with knee-high yellow boots in the line-up of 10 designers who are members of the Malaysian Official Designers’ Association (MODA).
Shah said, “I am glad and honoured to be part of this prestigious event. It is amazing to see so many talented designers coming together on this platform and to witness their gorgeous collections presented in accordance with the standards of an international fashion week.”
MODA is dedicated to assisting Malaysian fashion and creative talents in innovating and commercialising their creativity.
Its current President Melinda Looi, a Malaysian multi-award winning fashion designer was in the centre front row seats, and ex-MODA President Gillian Hung aka Mama G, an icon and fashion guru to the Malaysian fashion industry had her MMG label participating in the MODA fashion round.
The 10 MODA designers who displayed their work were Gillian Hung, Keith Kee, Peter Lum, Tangoo, Syahrir Nurdin, Ashley Wong, Jimmy Wong, Key Ng, Melvin Shah, and Shawn Lee.
The fashion industry saw its worst economic situation in the last two years of the pandemic.
Many guests who had not seen each other in a long time were just happy to see each other on KLFW Opening Day.
