M-IFW: Ten Rising Stars
Malaysian International Fashion Week finally closed last Saturday with the announcement of recipients for the MIFA 2008 Awards. Designer of the Year went to Sonny San, and Model of the Year went to Gwen Loo, whom Tongue in Chic has interviewed before. Kyuan scooped up award for Best Evening Wear, Julia Leong took home the Best Casual Wear award, and Michelle Hee won two awards - Most Promising Designer of the Year, and Best Avant Garde.
Besides the Truly Asia show which we've blogged about, another show many were looking forward to was Ten Rising Stars presented by Envy magazine. These ten designers are not names we are unfamiliar with, their involvement in various fashion shows, contests and TV shows propelling their brands.
Here's an overview of some of their designs and how the show went before we receive the professional runway shots tomorrow. Then you can surf all the looks and judge it to your heart's content. Fashion is very subjective after all.
First designer to show was Justin Yap. The winner of the Best Evening Wear Award at MIFA 2005 is known for his slick silhouettes, adoration for turquoise and fluid shapes that each come with a twist.
With pieces like soft silk shifts, and corsets paired with an evolution from the tulip skirt, Justin's chic glam collection hinted a wink of wild child with metal detailing consisting studs, zippers and hooks. Complementing the models' ensembles were bags and cuffs from thirtyfour, and gladiator shoes with thin straps also from Justin's collection.
Eleanor Ng was next to show.
Lots of clean lines including pieces like pants, a light grey shift with a wide fuchsia hem, and a dark grey jersey dress. I liked the grey jumpsuit and buttons going down the back of some. For more behind-the-scenes drama, check out her MIFW Diaries she wrote for Tongue in Chic here.
Nurita Harith, whom has just opened her boutique in Bangsar, was next on the MIFA runway.
Always having her way with folds and drapes, Nurita's collection displayed her talent of working with silk. Light brown cuffed shorts, fitted dresses with detailing scattered from the left shoulder, and bejewelled belts were but some of her pieces shown off with attitude to M.I.A.'s Paper Plane. She placed exposed zippers at the crotch of fitted shorts and pants, bringing sexuality to her mostly demure designs.
Model Azura
Project Runway Malaysia finalist Hatta Dolmat was the fourth designer to show. In unconventional Malaysian trend, he injected winter wear into his collection with puffed jackets, some which had interesting embellishments on (the shoulder and cuff areas). Belts and faux (we hope so!) fur were accompaniments. Admittedly, there was a point confusion crossed some of our faces when a model came out looking like she forgot her pants - wearing a jacket and sheer tights.
Winter wear aside, Hatta had long evening dresses in plum and black screaming extravagance and glamour. His collection's name - Dark Garden - seemed apt, as the models made one think of flowers of the night.
Designer Hatta Dolmat
With celebrities such as Erra Fazira, Ida Nerina and Datin Sri Tiara having being clad in his designs, Amir Luqman needs no introduction to the local entertainment industry. I'm in like with his androgynous look, but let's focus on the designs, shall we.
Models burst out on the runway with much energy, colour and an absolutely different feel from the previous dark drama that was Hatta's. Amir had three singers loosen up the mood on the runway; as layers of chiffon, criss-crossed piping, exposed zippers and intricate prints not of your typical batik kind, sashayed down it. A memorable walk was Kavitha Sidhu fluttering down the runway in a watercolour maxi dress.
Shoe couturier Karina Ng probably had the most "interesting" show of the lot. Second generation of family business Ling-N Couturier, her shoes on the website such as this pair and this exemplify the niche market in which her footwear appeal to. I think her runway concept is meant to appeal to a niche market too.
A few non-models (we recognised writer Jason Cheah, Pamela and Vanessa Chong) danced, skipped, strutted, kicked their heels and moved to no particular beat nor reason. It all seemed staged to mind-boggle us, which was exactly what it did.
Only problem was because their antics were so unusual, we barely noticed the shoes being paraded. Overheard - "They look like they're high. Whatever they're on, I don't want it."
Just when we thought the madness was over, out came more entertainment of sorts. Former Upcoming Designer Awards winner Winson Tan, decided to showcase his SS09 collection called "Distortion". Instead of fierce footwear most designers complement their designs with, Winson had his covered with carefully-crafted Lego pieces.
The moment the models hit the runway, so did many-a Lego piece. Gasps and laughter were heard as Lego littered the long runway. Again, I think people barely noticed the clothing because they were too busy gazing at the colourful Legos. I sure didn't. Overhead - "This should go into a list of Bad Catwalk Ideas."
Winson's final piece (no pun intended) made of Lego.
We were watching to see whether the runway would be swept clean before the next designer came on, but it wasn't! Personally, I thought it was a catwalk catastrophe waiting to happen - any of the models after that could have slipped and fallen.
Jimmy Lim showed next, with his SS09 collection named "Make Out Like A Bandit".
Using silk chiffon, jersey knit and cotton silk; his outfits were made of pieces that can be used separately. Unconventional drapes, magnified pockets, leopard print leggings and parachute jackets gave the collection a breezy holiday feel.
First runner up in Project Runway Malaysia last year (some say she should have won), Alexandrea Yeo's new collection was something many were looking forward to.
Her love for embroidery still apparent, Alex also featured overlapping layers of bold colours (like bright pink and neon green) atop black.
The back of Alex's final piece
Alwyn C (surname Chua, if you must know) had his models don headgear to add to the mood of his show. We loved it. His use of perspex, pvc and other shiny materials for his funky designs gave it a futuristic edge.
Known for dressing Ning Baizura and Siti Nurhaliza, Rizman Ruzaini (consisting of duo Rizman Nordin and Wan Ruzaini Wan Jamil) showed their collection of evening wear. Mixing traditional embroidery with modern cuts, pieces were nothing short of elaborate.
Closing the Ten Rising Stars show was a special appearance by Daniel Chong. We wouldn't say he's a "rising star" as his designs have an obvious maturity and finish to them.
Halfway through his show, a line of models came out covered in a long veil. Each model proceeded to walk down the catwalk after unveiling herself, one after the other.
Were you at the show? What did you think of it? We want to know what you think too!
Which designers do you like best so far? If you can't decide from the few pictures up, do come back to the site as we'll have the album with all their pieces up soon.
UPDATED:
Here's ChicTV's video of Day 4 at MIFW 2008 featuring the Ten Rising Stars:
