International IPOH Fashion Week (IIFW™ ’18): Even Bigger

It was an evening of glitter and glamour at the charity gala dinner of International IPOH Fashion Week (IIFW™ ’18), at the grand ballroom of Syeun Hotel Ipoh. This second edition of International IPOH Fashion Week indeed lived up to its theme of “Even Bigger”, a follow-up to the inaugural event last year.

The primary mission of IIFW™ ’18 was to “Save Tiny Babies”. The bulk of the monies raised from the event was channelled to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh. Rumah Teduhan Kelana, a shelter for the homeless and abused in Ipoh, also received a partial amount.

Being hosted for its second season, IIFW™ plays an important role in boosting the economy of the state and contributes to Malaysia’s international standing in the world’s fashion stakes. Said IIFW™ Founder-cum-CEO Louis Sebastian, “Fashion and design play an equally important role with other artistic fields. Fashion shows today have crossed the glamourous ramps and carpets of popular dress designers.

“The growing global interest in modest fashion redesigns the fashion power map. In Malaysia, fashion is influenced by the historic fusion of the multi-racial and multi-cultural background of the country. IIFW™ may just be two years old, but this melting pot has shaped Malaysia to become a central platform as a thriving emerging fashion capital.”

The charity gala dinner was the start to a three-day event, which included a Runway Fashion Showcase featuring Islamic Fashion and Modern Cultural Fashion (ready-to-wear), plus a hair avant-garde, followed by a closing Runway Pret-a-Porter (ready-to-wear), Accessories / Hairdo show by Top Stylist; Casual / Sports / Sports Accessories / Safari & Resort Theme Wear Fashion Showcase.

IIFW™ is an exclusive home-grown brand that has carved a niche for being a marque fashion event in the country. The three-day extravaganza featured a line-up of international fashion designers, 35 top-class fashion models, celebrity guests as well as performers of both local and international stature.

IIFW™ provided a global platform for Perak/Malaysia-based talents to display their creativity in fashion, hairdo and accessories. It was also an opportunity to introduce Perak to the world, beginning with international participants of IIFW™ ’18. Local culture, food and popular tourist destinations were unveiled to them during the activities. Additionally, a trip to Gopeng was organised to introduce Perak’s wonders of nature.

“IIFW™ ’18 helped boost tourist arrivals to the Silver State, as we showcase our culture, food and popular tourist destinations. With our neighbours looking to invest and spend some of its resources on style, Ipoh has many of the right ingredients to succeed in its mission,” Louis explained.

The charity gala dinner on Day 1 was graced by Her Royal Highnesses DYAM Raja Puan Muda Perak Darul Ridzuan Tunku Soraya Binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim and YTM Raja Dato’ Seri Azureen Binti Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfurlah, who led a long list of VVIPs, all to lend a helping hand to support the love for humanity through fashion.

Also present were IIFW Adviser YBhg. Datin Seri Dr Nomee Ashikin, together with her husband the Menteri Besar of Perak YAB Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal Dato’ Haji Azumu, and honourable ExCo members of the Perak State Government.

Designers and labels that were paraded on the runway during the eventful evening included participants from Community College Fashion Week (CCFW), who are students and lecturers of the Malaysian Community College.

Joining CCFW on the runway were Fashion Federation Nepal, which showcased the creation of four talented Nepali designers. Other new brands at IIFW™ ’18 were BAISI (International) Fashion Group and its sister label, BC VOGA.

Making a comeback for a second year was Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Perak Branch, whose students took the opportunity to display their skills and talent at an international platform. More than 30 outfits were paraded by them.

Also participating for the second year was popular label across the Causeway, Martini G, which was established in 2006.

The three-hour event wasn’t merely about fashion, as it was interspersed with stage performances of dance and song, culminating with a rendition of a popular Malay song, Ingin Bersua, by IIFW™ Founder-cum-CEO Louis Sebastian, as IIFW™ Ambassador Datin Caroline Wong and IIFW™ adviser YBhg. Datin Seri Dr Nomee Ashikin Mohammed Radzi took to the runway to wrap up the gala dinner.

Event: International IPOH Fashion Week (IIFW™ ’18): Even Bigger
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Syeun Hotel Ipoh
Date: 9th Nov, 2018
Time: 8pm

Note: View larger images by clicking on an image once this page has completely loaded. Then navigate by clicking on the right or left side of image.