KUALA LUMPUR: The dazzling Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024 (KLFW 2024) continues with another stylish display of talent, creativity, and sustainability with a special segment called “Design to Sustain” which coincides with the 6th KLFW Designer Search.
With the theme of “Capturing Allure” inspired by the elegance and sophistication of the all-new Peugoet 408, 15 young and aspiring fashion designer finalists showcased their innovative pieces, from sketches and brought to life with recycled materials.
It is also the first time KLFW Designer Search is collaborating with an automotive brand.
(Second from right) Morias presents the prizes to winners (from left) Raja Irfan, Tieo and Salahuddin.
The atmosphere was electric as the spotlight fell on each finalist as their designs showcased their creative and unique visions that breathed new life into upcycled fabrics, proving that sustainability can be synonymous with style.
The “Design to Sustain” contest workshop took place on June 16 where a total of 63 artists had to submit three womenswear sketches inspired by the theme ‘Capturing Allure’ and take part in a live fashion pitch.
"Once narrowed down, the top 15 artists are tasked to showcase two looks each at the grand finale which must include upcycled materials from Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM), one of the country’s largest zero waste textiles collector.
Peugeot 408.
The task of selecting the top three from the extraordinary pool of talent fell to a panel of seven esteemed judges -
KLFW founder Andrew Tan, Stellantis Malaysia marketing manager E-Ling Cheah, Min Luna Creative Agency creative director Min Luna, creative director and fashion stylist Andrea Wong, fashion critic Kak Zai, as well as fashion designers Kit Woo and Syomirizwa Gupta.
The three winners of the KLFW Designer Search 2024 are 18 year-old Mei Xuan Tieo with her collection titled "Ephemeral Reverie", 25 year-old Raja Irfan with “Eternal Allure” and 26 year-old Salahuddin Hilmi with "Rockstar".
Tieo with her collection titled "Ephemeral Reverie."
They captivated the audience and judges alike with their exceptional creativity, originality, innovation, and technical finesse.
As winners, they will have the exclusive opportunity to showcase their full collections at KLFW 2025 and the Lao Fashion Week: Zero Waste this October.
All three winners shared how the Peugeot 408 inspired their designs.
For Kuala Lumpur native Mei Xuan, her designs fused the technology, aerodynamic lines and sleek style of the 408’s with traditional Japanese culture and the allure of post-war Geisha, which was evident in her winning collection.
Raja Irfan with “Eternal Allure.”
Raja Irfan from Klang, whose visual identity is all about structural design said, “The moment I saw the 408, I immediately fell in love with the headlights.
"The silhouettes and sculpted lines of the car also drew my attention," he said.
These elements were featured in his designs where Raja Irfan created structured lines using the corset, belt, and exaggerated shoulder pieces.
Also inspired by the headlights, Kedahan Salahuddin said, "I wanted my collection 'Rockstar' to exude ruggedness and mystery.
"The front and rear lights, the rims, the silhouettes, and the lines of the 408 inspired my design narrative, and I also incorporated the colors of the French flag – red, white and blue – to pay homage to the brand’s origin," he said.
Salahuddin's "Rockstar" collection.
Tan said this year’s Designer Search competition had once again elevated the bar for fashion in Malaysia.
"The talent showcased tonight reflects the burgeoning level of creativity, individuality and innovation thriving within our industry.
"By merging style with sustainability, these designers have demonstrated a forward-thinking approach that aligns perfectly with KLFW’s vision. At the same time, we are also fortunate to have a like-minded partner such as Peugeot who also place emphasis on sustainability," he said.
Stellantis Malaysia managing director Jamie Francis Morais said sustainability was no longer a trend.
"It's a fundamental pillar for industries such as automotive and fashion to not only survive but thrive.
"Sustainability is a core value at Stellantis and for Peugeot and we are constantly seeking innovative ways to create products that are functional and sustainable. It's about using high-quality, responsibly sourced materials, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create a lighter footprint on the environment.”
"Our goal is to build a future where mobility and the environment coexist harmoniously, and KL Fashion Week has been an incredible partner in this journey. And we are very excited to see how the alluring design and language of attraction of the 408 managed to inspire and play a role as a muse for these designers.
"Furthermore, what’s more important is creating a platform for these extraordinary talented designers whose designs have the power to inspire, to change perceptions, and to drive positive change," added Morais.
Visit Peugeot Malaysia’s official social media channels on Instagram or Facebook to view more images of the winning fashion collections,.
