KUALA LUMPUR– Nurul Atiqah, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Honours) at the Design School, Taylor`s University, has won Femme Luxe Best Fashion Designer Award 2022 , after having impressed a panel of 4 expert fashion judges with her stunning evening gown of a mixed Victorian Parisian style that was worn and presented by model, Daia Nurhidayah Hashim, who is also the finalist of Miss Plus World Malaysia 2022.
The award was handed to the winner Atiqah and her model Daia on stage by Her Royal Highness, Tengku Puan Panglima Perlis, Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Puteri Nor Zehan Binti Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj.
Present at the event were also Her Excellency Dr. Petra Ponevács-Pana, Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia (pic 2nd left), Dato Foo Chu Jong President of Malaysia Kochow Association (pic 1st left), Ms Maria Sandra Wijaya Programme Director faculty of innovation and technology Taylor`s University (pic 1st right); Datin Seri Ezzan Othman Managing Director of Ezzan Global Ventures Sdn. Bhd (pic 2nd right), Dato Normaziah Sheikh Mohammad, President Club Wanita Ikon, and other VIPs and Dignitaries.
Ten fashion designers and 13 Malaysian plus-size models, who are also finalists of Miss Plus World Malaysia 2022, have participated in Femme Luxe Fashion Show which aims to celebrate and promote body positivity and sustainability through fashion.
The French-style runway and high tea was hosted for the first time in Malaysia by Miss Plus World Malaysia (MPWM) in partnership with Taylor’s University and Glam22 fashion boutique at Sunway on Sunday 18 September at Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur from 3pm to 7pm.
According to its organizers, the objective of Femme Luxe fashion show is to celebrate, spread and promote “Body Positivity, Healthy Lifestyle and Sustainability through Fashion”. The show kicked off under the theme: Body Positivity and Sustainability Revolved.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Her Excellency Dr. Petra Ponevács-Pana, Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia.
In her opening ceremony speech, Her Excellency Dr. Petra said this was “the first ever fashion show event covering and talking about body positivity and sustainability in Malaysia.”
“Believe me, as an Ambassador I have delivered many, many speeches, none of them was about body positivity or sustainable fashion.
“Dressing up is the most basic means of self expression. If you know who you are and what you want to show to the world, choose the pieces that really express you.
“If we know about body positivity and have the self confidence, life would be so much easier,” said Her Excellency Dr. Petra.
Her Excellency Dr. Petra has also thanked the organizers of Femme Luxe Fashion Show for the initiative to spread image positivity as well as promoting and creating awareness about sustainability through fashion.
The models wore two types of garments. One from Taylor’s University presenting classy outfits made of recycled materials and designed by several talented undergraduate students from the Design School, Taylor`s University. The second type of garments is from Glam22 Fashion Boutique that also participated in the runway and presented a stunning collection of evening gowns for special function, events and parties.
All collections presented at this show will depict stylish yet comfy gowns worn by plus-size models who flaunt their luxe outfits while confidently walking on the runway.
Taylor’s University Faculty of Innovation & Technology Executive Dean, Professor Dr David Asirvatham mentioned that its Fashion Design Technology students have shared their desire to design and produce garments for all shapes and sizes, and champion positive body image perceptions among youth.
“Through our partnership with MPWM, students are exposed to industry skills-sets and knowledge in designing sustainable plus size evening gowns. Their design and garment making journey is also well supported with the industry grade equipment we have at Mayamode, Malaysia’s first co-working fashion studio which is specifically designed for both the established and emerging fashion designers. Additionally, Taylor’s University together with MPWM will also be conducting a workshop on Body Image and Positivity to raise awareness of body image and address societal issues among Malaysian school children,” he said.
The event, which is organized by Media Path Ent., (Malaysia World News), an accredited media company based in Kuala Lumpur, was sponsored by YB Fong kui Lun, member of parliament Bukit Bintang, Malaysia Kochow Association, Life Line Clothing Malaysia, and many supporters and contributors.
National Director of MPWM, Ziinine Britshi said, this fashion show is more than a mere showcase of luxurious or stunning evening gowns, but it`s an initiative and great catalyst to spread body positivity, healthy lifestyle, and sustainability through fashion.
“We tend to contribute to finding the right solution to trash and pollutions by turning wasted fabrics into exclusive, valuable fashion, matching our current trends and world class development.
“Moreover, this fashion show which is featuring full-figured ladies will be a platform for spreading body positivity, boosting confidence and healthy lifestyle, as well as giving a chance for plus size models to show their worth and be engaged in the fashion industry too.
“We noticed many plus size ladies feel like second class citizens, deprived from being in the fashion trends,” said Ziinine.
According to Upcycle4Better (U4B) Head of Business Development, Andrew Jackson, U4B has donated over 25 rolls of fabric (raw recycled materials) for repurposing by the Taylor’s University students, as part of the collaboration between U4B, Life Line Clothing Malaysia, Taylor’s University and Miss Plus World Malaysia (MPWM).
“We are always happy to help the designers of tomorrow make more environmentally friendly choices when selecting their materials for events such as these. All the fabric that the students have used for this project has been diverted from our Malaysian Landfills. Beyond sustainability, women empowerment and community support are key principles that we also value, as many of our home sewers across Malaysia are women and from everyday backgrounds.
“We have worked on a few projects with MPWM in the past and what we respect about the pageant is its advocacy for body positivity. In this collaboration, we hope that more pageants and event’s organisers come forward and consider sustainable alternatives in the future,” said Andrew.
Glam22 Fashion Boutique Managing Director, Talvin Kok said, “Femme Luxe Fashion Show is very important platform as it will not only promote our design and craftsmanship, but also attract many customers, business partners and establish cooperative relationships. More importantly, we want our ladies to look elegant and gorgeous, as our gowns are specifically designed for women of luxury, which matches the concept of ‘Femme Luxe’.”
The participating models were: Sherlyn Chan Seet Leng, Kulbir Kaur A/P Pindar Singh, Shalani Kaliappan, Ranjini Kalidass, Lim Ai Lyne, Nora Che Ee, Daia Nurhidayah Hashim, Sinthupriya, Amanda Jack, Chitrah Devi Ramani, Lam Man Teng, Ainani Syukriah Sanam, and Emilia Josephine Masiun.
The participating Fashion Designers – most of them from Taylor`s University- were: Julia Wey,Nurul Atiqah, Mutiara Dina, Shi Jin Ge, Low Feng Yie, Kristopher Toon, Marcus Liew, Steffi, Hasyimah Ismail, and Sharon Lee.
The judges were: Shakina Aris, Amritpal Kaur a/p Kartar Singh, Andrew Jackson, and Beackey Lee.
The event was filmed by Full Throttle Films Sdn Bhd.
Malaysia World News
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