KUALA LUMPUR: After nearly five years on pause, Borneo Fashion Week (BFW) returns in 2025 with its fourth edition since its launch in 2017, spotlighting Borneo’s textile heritage and sustainable fashion on the international stage.
Carrying the theme ‘Fashion With Purpose,’ the event will take place on Oct 10 and 11 at Pavilion Damansara Heights and will feature 22 designers from Malaysia and abroad, including Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei.
Its founder, Stephanie Alcantara, said BFW is not just a runway platform but a space to empower new designers, nurture young talent, and connect cultural heritage with the global fashion industry.
Stephanie, who also holds the title of Mrs Malaysia Classique Globe 23/24, said her five years living in Kuching, Sarawak, opened her eyes to the uniqueness of East Malaysian traditional fabrics, which are less highlighted compared to batik or songket.
"Many people know batik and songket, but in Borneo, there are fabrics like kerikam and pua kumbu that are rich in cultural value yet rarely given attention. That is what drove me to establish BFW so designers from this region have a platform to showcase their work,” she said at the recent launch of BFW 2025.
Stephanie, who was also the runner-up for Miss Malaysia 1990, said that for this edition, every designer is required to present at least one sustainable piece, which may involve recycled fabrics, eco-friendly materials or alternative resources.
"For example, clothing can be made from recyclable materials or items not commonly thought of as fashion textiles. We want to raise awareness that fashion is not just about appearance - it also involves how it is made and its impact on people and the environment,” she said.
A former finalist of Dewi Remaja 1989, Stephanie also expressed her ambition to position BFW as a key fashion hub in the Asian region.
"My vision is for BFW to be globally recognised as a hub that unites culture, sustainability and innovation. With the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign coming up, we hope BFW will be included in the annual calendar of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture,” she added.
Meanwhile, Kuching-based designer Nasarudin Latep, founder of the label Nasha Prive, will showcase a collection inspired by the story of the Ring Lady of Sarawak - a tradition where women adorn iron bangles on their arms and legs, now practised by only three individuals in the state.
"This year I want to highlight awareness of the Ring Lady. This tradition is fading and may disappear completely, so I’m using the fashion platform to spread the message that this heritage exists and should be valued,” he said.
He said each design is developed using an artisanal approach with fabrics that emphasise comfort without compromising aesthetics - making the collection not only avant-garde, but also experimental and practical.
Nasarudin added that his participation in BFW 2025 is a chance to introduce Sarawak’s cultural identity to a larger stage.
"I want people to know that fashion can be a medium for championing heritage and raising awareness, not just about showcasing clothing,” he said. - Bernama
