BFW platform for Sarawak to be fashionistas’ haven
KUCHING: Borneo Fashion Week ( BFW) 2018, to be held from Sept 7 to 9 at Pullman Kuching here, will serve as a platform for Sarawak to become a fashion destination.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak government recognised the talents of local fashion industry through events like BFW which could be presented to the global stage.
“We are honoured to receive support for the event in order to help promote fashion designs and brands at local and international stages.
“Sarawak is multi-cultural rich, and this surely can attract many fashion designers who can use our culture as their inspiration. This is not limited only to textile or fabric but also to tattoos, for instance, which is well-known globally,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Abd Karim said by organising such events, it would encourage more domestic and international tourists to come to Sarawak.
He said the Sarawak government supports the efforts of the organisers in coming up with the prestige events like BFW, and proposed that the event be held here on an annual basis.
Meanwhile, BFW founder and organiser Stephanie Alcantra said this year’s event was expected to be more interesting as the organising committee had received encouraging response from fashion designers.
“Last year, BFW received participation from 18 well-known fashion designers, but this year, we received 28.
“This is a great response compared to when we first organised it last year, and I believe BFW 2018 will be better,” she said.
Organised by Borneo Ads Management, BFW 2018 will see fashion designers such as Amanda Brown, Azhar Zainal, Melvin Shah, Suhara Jewel Art and Ashley @ Kapas who will be showcasing their designs during a series of fashion shows, workshops, exhibition and more.
Themed ‘ Bringing Borneo to the World’, one of the highlights include the presentation of several awards including BFW Emerging Borneo Design of the Year 2018, BFW Designer of the Year 2018, BFW Designer in the Spotlight 2018, BFW Most Promising Designer 2018 and BFW Model of the Year ( Male and Female).
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee and Pullman Kuching chief operating officer ( Interhill Hospitality) Eric Tan were also present at the press conference.