Nisrina Nabihah (standing, second from right) says The Fig Society makes her feel truly seen, heard and valued. Photo: Nisrina Nabihah Razwan
Even while surrounded by millions of people, the loneliness one can feel in a big city can be overwhelming.
For young women navigating life in Kuala Lumpur, finding opportunities to connect with like-minded people often proves harder than it seems.
The lack of safe spaces for women to form genuine friendships was something Puteri Nurul Barizah Rizuan and Alia Sofiya Muhammad Adri wanted to change.
Both 23, the two friends co-founded The Fig Society – a social club designed to bring women together through creative gatherings that nurture growth, community and self-expression.
The food spread during The Fig Society’s second event, ‘Brunch and Belong’. Photo: Alia Sofiya Muhammad Adri
New start
The idea for The Fig Society started from the pair’s mutual love for personalised events.
“It began very organically,” explains Puteri Nurul Barizah. “At the beginning of 2025, I made a resolution to host small monthly get-togethers.”
“After successfully throwing a The Princess Diaries themed party in January, organising a Galentine’s dinner in the following month seemed fitting,” she says.
She decided to get Alia Sofiya involved because she knew Alia loved planning, meeting new people and arranging gatherings just as much as she did.
“One night, I asked Alia if she wanted to host the Galentine’s dinner with me. She immediately said yes and that’s how it all began.”
While they never initially planned to establish a community, some attendees from their first dinner suggested they create a journalling circle.
“Life got busy for a while, but that idea stuck with us,” says Puteri Nurul Barizah.
“In August, Alia messaged me saying, ‘Let’s host again,’ and so we carried out our second event called ‘Brunch and Belong’.”
Alia Sofiya believes that female-centric social spaces are important because they create an environment for women to connect, share experiences and support each other. Photo: Alia Sofiya Muhammad Adri
This was also when the two took the step to make their community official.
They chose the fig tree as their identity due to its powerful message of resilience and renewal.
“I have always been a fan of the fig tree analogy, where our choices and possibilities are similar to the many branches, representing different paths we may take in life,” says Alia Sofiya.
“The fig tree also represents growth, stability and abundance, which aligns perfectly with our intention for this community.”
“For us, every event we host is like one of those branches – a moment of connection, a chance to flourish or simply a pause to breathe,” Puteri Nurul Barizah adds.
“We believe that no opportunity is ever truly lost because the tree will keep bearing fruit and there will always be new branches. That’s why, even if someone can’t join a particular event, there will be another branch waiting to welcome them.”
The Galentine’s dinner where attendees wrote personalised letters to each other. Photo: Alia Sofiya Muhammad Adri
Safe space
The Fig Society offers more than just casual meetups – it is a place where young women can develop a sense of belonging.
“I discovered the society through Alia’s Instagram story,” says 21-year-old Nisrina Nabihah Razwan, who attended “Brunch and Belong.”
“Initially, I was nervous and worried that I might get awkward with the other girls – who were essentially strangers. But to my surprise, we instantly clicked and the brunch became one of my favourite memories.”
She recalls how using conversation cards – an activity carefully curated by the founders – sparked deeper discussions beyond small talk.
“The atmosphere was fun, relaxing and full of meaningful exchanges. What surprised me most was how natural everything felt. I left the event with different perspectives and invaluable insights about life.”
That sense of ease is exactly what the founders had hoped to achieve.
“From the very beginning, we wanted our attendees to feel safe, respected and carefree,” says Alia Sofiya.
“Our goal was to create an empowering environment where women can be themselves, foster connections, share experiences and support each other with no judgement.”
Additionally, the duo are intentional about how they design their gatherings.
“We prioritise choosing venues that are casual and easily accessible. We also keep fees minimal and make sure no one gets left out,” says Puteri Nurul Barizah.
“Even small details like seating arrangements, food choices and sticking to the schedule are thoughtfully considered to make the experience as comfortable as possible.”
Nisrina Nabihah witnessed the efforts of the founders first-hand and admitted that being part of The Fig Society made her feel truly seen, heard and valued.
“I didn’t have to shrink myself or try to fit in because I was accepted just as I am. That is something I don’t always find in other social gatherings,” she adds.
The co-founders both believe that female-centric circles like this are essential.
They hope to see their gatherings grow in scale but not lose the intimate, attentive atmosphere that makes their society unique.
“We plan to collaborate with other creative communities and host talks and workshops that are both fun and beneficial,” says Alia Sofiya.
“We’d also love to take The Fig Society on the road, bringing our events to women in different cities,” concludes Puteri Nurul Barizah.
