Thirteen collections were recently unveiled at Kuala Lumpur’s Godown Arts Centre. The collections were judged based on how creative and innovative the designers were following participation at the Malaysia Fashion Creativity Awards programme.
Shaping the future of fashion
The Malaysia Fashion Creativity Awards (MFCA) aims to raise awareness of sustainability while also encouraging designers to control their entire value chain in order to develop sustainable fashion.
On June 20, 13 finalists’ Sustainable Fashion collections were unveiled at the Godown Arts Centre in Kuala Lumpur during its awards night.
The collections were based on given categories such as Ethnic, Streetwear, Cruise, and Bridal and were judged on how creative and innovative the designers were after attending an MFCA programme, which began last year.
The programme offers masterclass sessions and design challenge activities to selected participants in order to improve their skills and knowledge of fashion design, business, and sustainability.
It is aimed towards people who want to start or advance their careers in the fashion industry. The classes cover design techniques, production, marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship, and range from beginner- to advanced-level.
“As a sustainability trainer, I held the first masterclass. Getting the finalists to consider the fashion supply chain, including the utilisation of materials, design, and lifecycle,” said Dr Renard Siew, one of the industry experts helping with this programme.
“For individuals interested in running their business as a social enterprise, we took a deep dive into BCorp licencing and explored some of the qualifying criteria.”
Siew, who was also on the panel of judges for the awards, said the 13 finalists went through a thorough selection process by a panel. Because this was the first time the programme was run, there was a lot of thought put into its potential to shape the future of fashion locally.
The shows and award ceremonies took place in the pleasant setting of a restored old building in central Kuala Lumpur. The majority of the guests were from the fashion and design industry.
Some of the outfits were impressively upcycled from reused materials.
A winner was chosen for each category — Bridal Wear, Cruise Wear, Ethnic Wear and Streetwear. There were also three main awards for Creativity, Innovation and Heritage Adaptation.
Nasarudin Latep, the winner of the Heritage Adaptation Award, is delighted to share his thoughts with us in this interview. He is the only Sarawakian chosen for this special MFCA programme, and he was thrilled to be named the winner of this award, which will help him in expanding his fashion business.
Nasarudin presented ‘The Last Ring Lady, A Bidayuh Story’ through his brand Nasha Prive.
“The concept of ethnicity not only serves as the backbone of this collection, but it also serves as my mission in upholding Sarawak’s tribal culture. I chose the Bidayuh people who are really close to me,” he said.
“Their customs, culture, and unique art fill my soul. They are not widely explored by local fashion designers and remain unfamiliar to outsiders.
“My collection is not only a feast for the eyes, but it may also educate the audience indirectly about the art of the Bidayuh people. I am inspired by the uniqueness of Bidayuh women, particularly the Ring Ladies from a village around 45km away from Kuching.”
Was he expecting to win? He quickly responded: “Absolutely not! From the time the subject matter is determined until the time all of the outfits are prepared, anyone can win.
“I did, however, hope to win, and after passing various classes and having the knowledge provided by MFCA, I felt I had won.”
Talking about the challenges, he said: “I learned a variety of things throughout my time in the MFCA programme, which began at the end of last year. MFCA promotes the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and solutions in order to broaden our perspectives.
“From deciding on the subject to creating the complete collection, it felt like we were fighting ourselves and time. It was critical that we manage our time effectively in order to prepare the sewn clothes.
“Perhaps the only challenge was my concern about how the public would react to my presentation. Will my concept of introducing cultural heritage be accepted?”
When asked how he feels about winning the award, he said: “Of course, I’m happy after all of my hard work, sacrifices, and efforts. Winning one of the main awards, the Heritage Adaptation Award, makes me very proud. The award means a lot because the fashion core is based on Sarawak’s ethnicity and culture.
“After winning, I realised that all of my hard work and perseverance in fashion design had paid off. It’s a wonderful feeling to finally be appreciated and accepted.
“Most importantly, the art of introducing culture and heritage into fashion can inspire a new generation of designers. Winning is important in convincing myself and others that I am serious about my artistic journey.”
