Fashion houses around the world have shown that it is possible to be part of fashion weeks, yet still adhere to pandemic restrictions. With digital technology, showcases can go on – albeit, in a rather different way.
Recently, local designers took the same route to present their fashion week collections. From a film to a web series and short virtual presentation, it was a go ahead for Malaysian fashion despite the current situation.
Syomirizwa Gupta partnered award-winning director Zahir Omar to create a stunning fashion film.
Titled Kegusaran (Malay for disquietness), it portrayed a parallel world. Models wore Syomirizwa's previous iconic and brand new pieces to tell the story of living a fictional scenario – and going through some rough and dramatic experiences.
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"This film was made to feel a certain emotion that we all are going through this year," Syomirizwa said of the film, which was narrated by Malaysian actor Bront Palarae.
He further added: "The main focus of the film is more on a certain feeling that represents this year, so the focus was about making our clothes from the past and present to gel seamlessly with the storyline and scenes also as an homage to how glorious the world was at one point!"
Alia Bastaman turned to digital means for her Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week presentation too. Her showcase was titled Horizons and showed a world that we all are yearning for.
The vivid expression of the beauty of nature – with its sky and sea horizons and dazzling sunsets – served as a reminder of better things to come.
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"How would we dress up in times like these?” Alia noted, on how far-off islands and glitzy parties seem like a distant memory.
“I made sure my designs were light and free – easy, effortless looks with max impact, so everything flows comfortably without constricting silhouettes.”
Hatta Dolmat has been releasing short episodes of his journey leading up to fashion week since September. It culminated with him offically launching his sustainable collection.
Named Hatta Dolmat The Sustainable Project, the series takes a look behind-the-scenes of the journey, from designing to the conceptualising of the message.
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“My job as a fashion designer is to create beautiful, intelligent clothes to people. But as time goes by, after 15 years in the industry, fashion requires some seriousness," he commented.
"A moment to think and to reflect back to the society. What do I do? What is fashion for? How can I give back to the society? What can fashion contribute to the community? How can fashion solve the major waste problems?"
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