Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 14, 2016.

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Taking place in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s fashion district, Jalan Bukit Bintang, the Starhill Gallery Fashion Week was a four-day fashion parade of glitz and glamour. Featuring some of the biggest names in the industry, the style extravaganza took place on the Adorn Floor of Starhill Gallery. 

One of the standout events of the fashion week was the Malaysian Designers’ Couture Showcase last Friday. Providing a platform for emerging designers, the showcase was filled with talent and creativity. Featuring three up-and-coming Malaysian labels, the showcase was a combination of innovation, edge and sophistication, highlighting the differing styles of each designer. 

 

Justin Yap Prestige 

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Entitled Les fleurs de l’orient, designer Justin Yap’s collection debuted 12 glamorous pieces from his 2016 bridal collection, hand-picked from the Justin Yap Prestige range. This line features exclusive bridal and evening dresses as well masculine tailoring for modern men. The bridal collection in particular takes inspiration from Yap’s recent trip to Japan, where he combines intricate oriental elements with contemporary bridal styles. 

Paying tribute to Memoirs of a Geisha, the collection is an ode to actresses Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li, who starred in the Oscar-winning movie. The meticulous construction and fine tailoring highlight Yap’s designs and gives the collection a luxurious and ethereal feel — perfect for any lady on her special day. 

Fiziwoo 

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Established in 2009, Fiziwoo combines a sleek and clean design with the femininity and softness of materials used. Comprising designers Mohd Hafizi Radzi Woo and Izree Kai Haffiz, the brand name is a portmanteau of both their names. With Izree’s background in architecture and Mohd Hafizi’s fashion design training, Fiziwoo places high importance on balance and proportion when it comes to design. 

The collection showcased the most important pieces that the brand has created in the past five years, displaying its creative vision and direction. Ranging from dramatic evening gowns and bold printed dresses to incredibly chic jumpsuits, the hand-picked collection was definitely a celebration of elegance, style and texture. A particular standout in the collection was a bedazzling sequinned gold evening gown that would be the perfect piece for an A-list celebrity walking the red carpet. 

AHNDE 

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Founded and led by London-based Malaysian designer Tanya Steven, AHNDE is a women’s wear label that explores the lyrical by suggesting a layered interpretation of beauty. Using artisanal craftsmanship and technology, AHNDE’s collection was one of rich, earthy tones and multi-dimensional pieces. 

The show opened with a traditional Indian dance performance full of energy and heritage. A further ode to Indian style was seen in the rich details such as burnt ostrich feather embroidery and subtle lace detailing. Featuring 14 pieces, the collection struck a fine line between provocative sensuality and delicate construction. One of the standout pieces in the collection was an ethereal black dress with ostrich feather details at the bottom. This dress was auctioned at the end of the event, with the funds raised going to Riding for the Disabled Association Malaysia.

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