(From left) Lurazahs, Tengku Hishammuddin, Julia and Uzair at the launch of the showcase at Isetan in Kuala Lumpur. — SS KANESAN/The Star
KLFW10 winners showcase sustainable collections at department store until Oct 5
WINNERS of the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Samsung KLFW10 Designer Search 2022 are retailing their collections at Isetan in Lot 10.
Lurazahs Raunna, Uzair Shoid and Julia Wey are showcasing their collections at the ground floor of the department store until Oct 5, together with other local designers like Jewel Sum, Friesenguys, James Hock and Corak.
Present at the launch of the showcase were guest of honour Tengku Hishammuddin Zaizi Tengku Azman Shah, KLFW founder Andrew Tan and Isetan of Japan marketing, advertising and production department assistant general manager Then Kok Seong.
In his speech, Then said this special event brought together a remarkable line-up of local designers who exemplified the very essence of Malaysian fashion artistry.
Sum with her collection at Isetan.
Lending a twist to the winners’ collections was that some of the pieces were crafted from recycled textiles from Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM), a company that collects used textiles across the country to be later upcycled as fashion items like pouches.
Tengku Hishammuddin, who is also LLCM advisor and patron, said similar showcases should be organised annually, locally and overseas, to provide an opportunity to up-and-coming designers to present their collections.
“Many local designers have benefited from such events. Local designer Hatta Dolmat is an example of someone who had used the KLFW platform to progress in his career,” said Tengku Hishammuddin.
For this showcase, Tan said the designers had visited the LLCM warehouse to look for fabric and textile that could be used in their collections.
One of the winners, Uzair, 25, showcased a long-sleeved blouse made from a used tablecloth he found at the LLCM warehouse.
He was immediately drawn to the flowery cross-stitch pattern which he knew would be an accentuating feature.
Models wearing the creations of (from left) Lurazahs, Julia and Uzair during the fashion showcase.
“I like to add embellishments like these to make my pieces look more ‘high fashion’ and branded,” he said.
Sum from Sabah said platforms like these would help give newcomers a leg up in their profession.
Sum, whose collection features ruffles and curves, said the usage of these features mirrored her struggles during her student days.
She said her graduate collection was heavily criticised before it was presented at Graduate Fashion Week 2021 in the United Kingdom.
She also said her first collection was crafted at her own home, where she lacked the luxury of a dedicated workspace.
Proud parent Johnson Wey, father of Julia, said for the local fashion industry to grow, parents must play a part in supporting their children’s dreams.
