Kuala Lumpur Fashion Awards 2024 in City Centre
A Celebration of Freedom of Expression
STRUTTING the patterned carpet in the most elaborate (some would say, camp) ensembles, the local fashion fraternity gathered for a soiree, spotlighting up and coming local talents while celebrating freedom of expression through maximalism.
The Kuala Lumpur Fashion Awards 2024 (KLFA 2024), held in the city last Friday, set the stage for the future of fashion in Malaysia by honouring veteran and emerging fashion movers.
Fashion event saw country’s most fashionable personalities embrace being different
The local fashion scene has come a long way – it is bolder with a deafening sense of individualism with every attendee embracing their eccentricity via their interpretation of maximalism. One such example was content creator Nandini who was styled by Behati creative director Kel Wen – the former stunned in a statement, albeit camp, ensemble called the Mala dress.
The Mala dress, an ode to the Indian culture, is an over-the-top piece made of 1000 fresh flowers (orchids, chrysanthemums and roses) imported from India, hand-stitched on a banarasi brocade black dress. Many (read: netizens) deemed the look “not fashionable” simply because it does not fit the bill of conventional beauty but they forget fashion is not just playing dress up and looking pretty.
Fashion is expressive and not always meant to be “acceptable” – it is political, impactful and it makes a statement. The Mala dress was just one example of what Jiman Casablancas, a local fashion icon and writer who was given a tribute at KLFA 2024 after his passing, preached over the years – “dare to be different”.
That is exactly what these local fashion movers, who were awarded in the event, were entrusted to do – to make bold choices and to keep the Malaysian fashion discourse going until we are rubbing shoulders with the big dogs.
2024 Fashion Trailblazers
- Emerging Womenswear Designer: Ghostboy
- Fashion Photographer of the Year: Nelson Chong
- Emerging Menswear Designer: Shals
- Hairstylist of the Year: Cody Chua
- Fashion Business Leader: Rizman Ruzaini
- Most Fashionable Male Personality: Awal Ashaari
- Fashion Innovation Impact: Behati
- Makeup Artist of the Year: Sahir Sabri
- Streetstyle Designer: Bev C
- Positive Change: Bungkus
- Excellence in Gender-Inclusive Design: MasyadiMansoor
- Male Model of the Year: Ridzman Zidaine
- Fashion Tribute: Jiman Casablancas
- Most Fashionable Female Personality: Scha Alyahya
- Menswear Designer: Fairuz Ramdan
- Female Model of the Year: Suganya
- Fashion Most Influential: Abu Sahaef Hamza
- Fashion Stylist of the Year: Johan Kassim
- Womenswear Designer: Tangoo
- Fashion Icon of the Year: Nazreem Musa
- Brand of the Year: Rizman Ruzaini
Conclusion
The KLFA 2024 has set the stage for a bold and daring future of fashion in Malaysia, encouraging individuals to embrace their uniqueness and individuality. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to remember that fashion is a form of self-expression, and it is up to us to keep pushing boundaries and celebrating our differences.
FAQs
Q: What was the main theme of KLFA 2024?
A: The main theme of KLFA 2024 was freedom of expression through maximalism.
Q: Who were the winners of the Emerging Designer Awards?
A: The winners of the Emerging Designer Awards were Ghostboy for Emerging Womenswear Designer and Shals for Emerging Menswear Designer.
Q: Who received the Fashion Tribute Award?
A: Jiman Casablancas received the Fashion Tribute Award at KLFA 2024.