Last Friday, I went for the Kuala Lumpur International Fashion Merchandising Exhibition (KLIFME) launch at the Westin. Looking at the invite, I was dumbfounded as to what the event was about, considering international fashion merchandising isn’t exactly a brand new concept in KL. Not with international brands being carried in KL! 
KLIFME is actually an exhibition that will enable the talents of the global fashion industry to be exposed on a global platform. Which means the event will host an international group of exhibitioners and give them access to an international group of buyers in KL.
This all sounds exciting, but what I went for was merely a press conference for the upcoming event. So I saw speeches given by Shahul Hameed Dawood (chairman of KLIFME), Deborah Henry (KLIFME’s ambassador) and Dato’ Maznah Mazlan, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment brief the media on the event.
I also saw the unveiling of what is planned to be the KLIFME 09 Young Designer’s Award trophy.
And then I watched the young designers receive their application forms ala a certificate giving ceremony, which I thought was strange.
This was followed by a brief fashion showcase. So brief that the models barely even stopped to pose at all!
While I wasn’t very impressed with the press conference as an event by itself, KLIFME ’09 looks to be something interesting to look forward to. I’m all for our local young designers being given a platform to showcase to a global market!
The event will be on 24th – 26th July and will also host workshops and networking mixers.
