Selangor aims to be hub for modest fashion

In 2015 alone, women globally spent US$44bil (RM181bil) on modest wear. Amiruddin Shari

PETALING JAYA: Selangor aims to position itself as the regional hub for modest fashion in the next five years through its Selangor Modest Fashion initiative.

The initiative, which was launched this year by Invest Selangor through Royal Tanjung, will be championing local talents in its ambitious bid to be the region’s powerhouse in the modest fashion industry.

Modest fashion, which is not the same as Islamic fashion, focuses on stylish clothing, which conceals rather than accentuates the shape of the wearer’s body.

The modest fashion segment is proving to be one with growing demand, with Selangor Mentri

Besar Amirudin Shari emphasising the high potential of the industry.

“In 2015 alone, women globally spent US$44bil (RM181bil) on modest wear.

“The fashion industry in Malaysia is growing at a steady pace of 12% per annum, with revenues estimated to grow to RM5.5bil by 2023 from the current RM3.5bil in 2019.

“Each year, new and upcoming talents are discovered and a majority of them are concentrated in Malaysia. The state of Selangor, notably Bangi and Shah Alam, has always been associated with modest fashion and we should realise the immense potential of this segment of the fashion industry,” he said in a press conference after opening the event.

The Selangor Modest Fashion event opened with a Fashion Prelude on Nov 6, where original ready-to-wear collections by Selangor’s renowned and aspiring designers were showcased.

The designs blend elements of the modern and traditional, and were also inspired by traditional Malay fashion based on heritage styles unique only to Selangor.

Such designs include the “Warisan Selangor” designs on the kain

telepuk, Selangor kebaya and baju

sikap – and feature unique production methods, fabrics and prints.

The event, which was held in collaboration with Yayasan Raja Muda Selangor, Selangor Youth Community, Entrepreneurship Selangor and Royale Demure, brought together apprentice, aspiring and established designers to feature their designs.

The programme also drew the support from the likes of Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Invest Selangor CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris.

In its effort to nurture talents in the fashion industry, the initiative also organises incubator programmes in which aspiring fashion designers will be mentored and compete among themselves.

The programme this year will reach a climax with the upcoming Fashion Gala on Dec 3.

The gala promises to be a memorable affair with royalty, socialites, lifestyle influencers and industry players set to further promote the growth of the modest fashion in the state.