Highlights from Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024
The week-long event was a melting pot of tradition and youthful sensuality
Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) is known for its heady mix of tradition and youthful sensuality. In its 12th iteration, KLFW was held from 29 July to 4 August at Suria KLCC. There were runway debuts from homegrown fashion darlings Ghostboy and Shals, as well as industry stalwarts, such as Zachrin Jaafars. The winners of the KL Fashion Week Designer Search and 2024 Model Search were also announced. The fashion community was abuzz, and here, we would like to share a few of our KLFW highlights.
‘Coming of Age’ SHALS Ready-To-Wear 2024 runway presentation and backstage photos. Images courtesy of SHALS.
‘COMING OF AGE’ SHALS Ready-to-wear 2024 collection
This season, SHALS makes their runway debut for mens and womenswear, flexing their design savvy for contemporary design. It was a “coming-of-age” moment for creative director Shalma Ainaa who has helmed the brand for the past 13 years. The pieces feature relaxed tailoring, with double-belted pleated skirts styled on both men and women, layered blazers with extended sleeves, and structured tops. Tonal maroons and rich reds were used to contrast against a palette of greys and creams. The collection boasts their first international collaboration with Belgian eyewear brand KOMONO. Best known for their fun, quirky and affordable eyewear, the Belgian brand had most recently created sunglasses for Walter Van Beirendonck. Designed to integrate seamlessly into any wardrobe, SHALS’ design ethos of versatility and sophistication produced a desirable collection of clothing and accessories.
‘Sink’ Ghostboy Fall/Winter 2024 runway presentation. Images courtesy of Ghostboy.
‘Sink’ Ghostboy Fall/Winter 2024
“The bathroom sink is where the grit of the night is washed away. It is where female friendships forge over gossip and emergency touch-ups.” So goes the inspiration for Ghostboy’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Rooted in youth and club culture, Ghostboy’s runway debut is a consolidation of many seasons of refining the “Julia Fox it-girl” persona that has attracted many fans since its inception in 2021.
Kit Woo Ready-To-Wear 2024 runway presentation. Images taken from Kit Woo’s Instagram.
Kit Woo
Kit Woo, who was Menswear Designer of the Year at KLFW last year, is a familiar name. As expected, Woo delivered with the deconstructed tailoring and tie-around straps that gave movement to his pieces. This time, his inspiration stemmed from the darker side of culture. Horror films like The Thing, Hellraiser and 13 Ghosts were points of reference, feeding into the slightly macabre and sombre mood of the presentation.
Zachrin Jaafars, ‘Permulaan’ runway presentation. Images courtesy of Zachrin Jaafars.
Zachrin Jaafars, ‘Permulaan’
Zachrin Jaafars' runway is a modern take on traditional Malay craftsmanship and ceremonial attire. Inspired by the rice paddy community that Jaafars grew up with, the presentation merged dance and tradition in an opening sequence choreographed by Puteramal Amal Nasir, and performed by dancers from Gemalai Samudera. The collection featured gold thread embroidery, and colours that represent the various stages of the grain in its life cycle. Other metaphors that were conjured up with embellishment include the Buffalo, the Scarecrow and the Golden Rice and its Flowers, creating a collection that feels both regal and at the same time of the earth.
‘Merdeka’ Behati Fall/Winter 2024 collection at KLFW. Images courtesy of KLFW.
‘Merdeka’ Behati Fall/Winter 2024 collection
This season, Behati’s take on tradition comes from national pride. Titled ‘Merdeka’, the brand celebrated Malaysia’s independence day by showing a collection inspired by the uniforms of the Malaysian civil service. The opening look featured an oversized hibiscus, Malaysia’s national flower, fashioned out of satin. Other looks also incorporated traditional dress like a cheongsam and songket, and traditional fabrics cut and sewn into Behati’s now signature boxy and oversized shapes. As usual, Behati mixes humour and honour with great aplomb.
The collection is currently displayed at a pop-up at Parkson Elite at Pavilion KL.
Alia Bastamam, ‘Odyssey: Act III’ Spring/Summer 2025 collection at KLFW. Images courtesy of Alia Bastamam.
Alia Bastamam, ‘Odyssey: Act III’ Spring/Summer 2025 collection
A seasoned veteran in the Malaysian fashion scene, Alia Bastamam unveils the final act to her Odyssey series. Titled “Odyssey: Act III” the Spring Summer 2025 collection is built on a feminine, sensual and exploratory mood. Flowing, draped silhouettes, sheer layers and sequined full looks add to the feeling of laidback luxury that suits her globe-trotting customers. This collection was also showcased at Dubai Fashion Week in September.