Richard Tsen, a fashion entrepreneur, intends to establish a one-stop retail space for streetwear apparel and collectible wearable art, as well as a venue for workshops and events. He sought out creative and dynamic designers and brands from East and West Malaysia with the aim of unifying them under the CollabStore brand. Pictured is a piece by RHR Xcluseev.
One-stop platform for fashion
Changes are already taking place in Malaysia’s apparel industry as we approach 2023.
Everyone is looking for ways to save money and making catwalk fashion available to a wider audience appears to be a sensible approach.
The latest trend is collaboration in an informal fashion show, in which fashion pieces from various designers are showcased in a more casual setting, such as a department store.
We were able to see the essence of each brand at such a show this month as the models did their catwalk throughout the store to entertain guests who were either seated or standing next to rails displays.
Journalists, photographers, influencers, and fashion lovers flocked to preview and take note of the latest fashions on display while networking at the same time.
It was also an opportunity for a beverage company to promote its brand by providing refreshments to guests before the show began.
CollabStore, a 5,000 square foot multi-brand boutique on the second floor of Shoppes at Four Seasons Place, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, served as the event’s location.
CollabStore, which was opened in 2021, is the brainchild of Sabah-born fashion entrepreneur Richard Tsen.
Tsen, Singapore’s Raffles College of Higher Education graduate with a major in Fashion Marketing and Branding, has a tremendous passion for art, creativity, and fashion.
He wanted to create a one-stop retail space for streetwear fashion and collectible wearable art, as well as a platform for events and workshops. In a nutshell, “where art meets fashion.”
“CollabStore is a retail store that promotes unique and limited designs created in small batches by local designers,” said Tsen.
“On a monthly basis, it will also organise design/art related events and activities for emerging artists,” he added.
Tsen believes that a physical store provides more intimacy in terms of human touch and a unique shopping experience than the expanding trend of online businesses.
With his concept in mind, he sought out to creative, intriguing, unique, and dynamic designers and brands from both the East and West of Malaysia, bringing them together under one umbrella — CollabStore.
Thus, filling merchandise categories such as women’s wear, men’s wear, street wear, footwear, accessories, homewares, arts, and even books!
Among the labels featured in the fashion show were:
⦁ Andy Sulaiman
⦁ Angelique
⦁ Arumn
⦁ Baderol
⦁ Behati
⦁ Cantiq Couture
⦁ Eliot Malaysia
⦁ Eric Choong
⦁ Fewl Good
⦁ Furry Macaroni
⦁ Halim
⦁ Kit Woo
⦁ Outdwell
⦁ Project1826
⦁ Reeh and Heer
⦁ RHR Xcluseev
⦁ Styled by Peter Lum
⦁ Umbi
⦁ Yacutha
⦁ Zaff Ben Jibby
⦁ Zuushaha
Fashion has long been one of the most significant contributors to waste and climate change, owing to unsustainable and non-eco-friendly production methods.
It was great to see a designer like Andy Sulaiman (who is originally from Kuching) embracing more sustainable fabrics. Yacutha is another Kuching-based designer’s label.
Many people have toned down their fashion styling in favour of comfy apparel since the pandemic began, thus there were some simple ones that looked very comfortable.
Streetwear has grown in popularity, particularly among the younger generation, and many of the labels in CollabStore are rather innovative.
Pick up a piece from one of their young labels and be amazed by its cuteness or edginess.
There is also contemporary high street fashion that is produced locally. This platform may be ideal for emerging designers to showcase their work and gain exposure.
