A fashion extravaganza
Students presennted 43 designs that are a cultural mix of ideas, fabrics, textures and colours on the catwalk.
A group of students got the opportunity of a lifetime to display their designs at London Fashion Week.
“TOOK part in London Fashhion Week”. While not every designer canc include this in their resume, 20 young Limkokwing University ofo Creative Technology students and graduates can certainly do so.
On Feb 17, the group prresented 43 designs at Fashion Scout, tthe United Kingdom’s largest indepenndent showcase for emerging aand established design talents durring the London Fashion Week (LFW). Fashion Scout is knoown for championing and shoowcasing design talent by prooviding a platform to showcaase excellence from all oveer the world.
Held twice a yyear, LFW is a trade showw that is among the “Biig Four” of fashion weeks, along with those inn New York, Milan and Paris. There weree 54 participants at FFashion Scout, buut Limkokwwing is the only unniversity invitedd by the organniser to showwcase its abilitty there. Thhe core team frrom Limkokwingg consisting of 20 studennts and graduatess from the universitty’s Faculty of Lifestyyle and Creativitty chose “Asian annd African Culture MMeet in Europe” ass its theme to reflect thhe rich cultural mix of its student population.
“Our designns reflect the diverse backkground of our students andd represent a mixture of ideas,,” said Limkokwing Univeersity of Creative Technologgy vice-president of bbrand, creativity and talent ddevelop- ment Datuk Tiffanee Marie LLim.
In the run-up to the event, the entire university was involved in thhe unique
experience. Students and lecturers joined hands to contribute ideas, fabrics, accessories, shoes, headwear and wraps, an effort that saw students practically scouring the world to source for materials.
“We got embroidery from India, Indonesian batik, Chinese silk, traditional lihiya designs from Swaziland and fabrics from Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Ghana, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Nigeria and Iraq. We also hand-made Malaysian batik and hotpressed the Balinese barong character onto cloth,” said Lim.
The final collection had over 40 designs created by the students, as well as pieces made under Limkokwing Fashion Club, dubbed as the “world’s first fashion label created by a university”.
“The organisers usually invite brands that have looks to sell because Fashion Week is a trade show where buyers gather to pick what they want to feature at their stores. So, universities are not normally invited. But we bridged that gap with the Limkokwing Fashion Club,” explained Lim.
“This commercial platform adds value to students because it allows them to take their designs all the way (to retail) and participate in events such as this,” she added.
Attention to detail
Under normal circumstances, designers usually take six months to a year to put together their runway collection.
But the additional test for Limkokwing was that it only had two months’ notice to design over 43 looks. In the end, the university didn’t dis-appoint.
Attention to detail was the name of the game and the models stepped out draped in clothes that featured ethnic prints and intricate designs on fabrics adorned with hand-woven gold and silver threads. They wore heels embellished with floral patterns, golden inlaid moccasins and bold accessories. Topping off some of the creations were crystal hairpieces that had to be attached individually to the models’ hair.
The result was a striking display of textures, colours and cultures, all coming together in unison on the catwalk at the packed Freemasons’ Hall, on the first day of the LFW. “Limkokwing produced a remarkable show which was intelligent and well attended. It is our pleasure to have invited such a prestigious design university to participate in London Fashion Week,” said Fashion Scout’s operations manager Gina Hewitt after the show.
The drawing board
Maureen K Dewi, one of the two graduates who made the trip to London, said they received the Fashion Scout invitation last December. “There were a lot of things to do – and a lot of holidays during that period. “Our design team struggled to get things done, but we did it,” said the 23-year-old from Indonesia who is also brand manager of Limkokwing Fashion Club.
In the end, the prospect of showcasing their designs in London energised them and kept them going even during difficult moments.
The trip from university to the global catwalk was a learning experience that went way beyond the classroom.
The other designer who went to London, Kutraleswarean Padamanathan, 22, described it as the most stressful period of his life.
They had to fight for the best models as other brands were competing for the same girls, deal with a modelling agency calling to say it would not be able to provide the required models, and run around looking for extra items needed for the catwalk. And on top of dealing with jet lag and the cold, they worried about filling the seats in the hall.
“We had to deal with so many things happening at once and it was really stressful. But it was such a great experience because I got to see the real fashion industry and how it works,” said Kutraleswarean.
Above all, the Limkokwing graduate from Malaysia was overjoyed to be living his dream. “My dream is to have my own show at LFW one day. But now, even before I have my own brand, I have already gotten this opportunity, and at such a young age. I am really grateful for that,” he said.
Lim said the show was interesting as it challenged the students.
“They had never dealt with such a big event before and there were a hundred things happening at the same time.
“As we were inviting London guests, and there were different shows happening at the same time, the team had to compete for guests to come to their show.
“We are walking on one of the biggest runways in the world. Not many students or even designers get this opportunity.
“There was this sense of competition that we don’t have at home. We didn’t want to see even one empty chair in the hall because we had worked so hard for the show. So there was this sense of challenge and hunger. This is the kind of stuff the students will never forget,” she added.
The road ahead
Malaysia’s representation at LFW was not only limited to designers. Tanisha Demour, 21, also volunteered to model the designs at Fashion Scout.
“I’m amazed and excited to be a part of this event because the students have been producing amazing garments and designs. I’m also proud of myself as a Malaysian walking on the London runway,” said Tanisha, a mass communication student from Limkokwing.
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology vice-chancellor Prof Cedric Bell said participation at Fashion Scout is a huge privilege.
“It is a great opportunity for our students and also a big achievement for the university.
“Over 200 guests attended the event, which speaks volumes about the standing of Limkokwing in terms of the fashion world,” he said.
Lim hopes that Limkokwing’s participation at the prestigious event will get people to take note of the story behind the brand.
“I hope the people who came to our show will be inspired because we are a group of young designers.
“Now, these 19-year-olds are at the top of the game. You will find it very hard to beat them in 20 years’ time.
“The students’ life will change because they have done this. If you have this on your CV, no one will ques- tion your competence. You are validated,” she said.
Taking a broader view, Lim felt that the success at Fashion Scout also opens the door for more Malaysian designers to be featured on the international arena.
“For the developing world, it means that the gap is not that big. Last time, they were only searching for talent from where they are (in the west). But they have exhausted all of these resources and are now looking where we are.
“They are watching us. So all we have to do is be the best where we are. Then, we can compete to be the best in the world.”