DEEMED a prelude to Visit Perak Year 2024 and Visit Malaysia Year 2025, the International Ipoh Fashion Week 2023 (IIFW) Season 5 ended 2023 on a high note with a hive of activities featuring over 80 models and 10 fashion designers from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Indonesia and Nepal.
The three-day event from Dec 1 to 3 saw three significant activities, namely The Royal Charity Gala Dinner, Fashion on the Street and Fashion by the Sea putting the city of Ipoh on the world map as a city of fashion apart from its popular tag as a food and cultural haven.
Royal Charity Gala Dinner
IIFW was officially launched with a Royal Charity Gala Dinner graced by Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, members of the Perak royal family, Perak Menteri Besar’s wife Datin Seri Aezer Zubir, state tourism, industry, investment & corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee, state government officials and foreign ambassadors.
“Fashion shows today have crossed the glamorous ramps and carpets of the popular dress designers,” pointed out Loh who is also the three-term Jalong state assemblyman in his opening remark of the Royal Charity Gala Dinner.
“IIFW Season Five will help boost tourist arrivals to Malaysia as we showcase our culture, food and popular tourist destinations. Perak has many right ingredients to succeed in its Visit Perak Year 2024 campaign.”
Fashion tourism with a heart
Themed Fashion Tourism with a Heart, IIFW is more than just a fashion show filled with glitz and glam.
The event’s founder and CEO Louis Sebastian insisted that “IIFW is out to make a social impact”.
“It has a deep sense of empathy and commitment under Pertubuhan Sehati Perak, an NGO (non-governmental organisations) consisting of IIFW members,” he explained. “What sets IIFW apart is its unique approach of offering hope and support to the children at Hospital Sri Manjung (Paediatric High Dependency Unit).”
A total of over RM46,000 from the proceed of the Royal Charity Gala Dinner would be donated to Hospital Sri Manjung (Paediatric High Dependency Unit PHDU Department).
The black-tie dinner saw the opening gimmick by Francis Yip, winner of STYLO Fashionista of the Year Award 2019 with his signature FashioniSTAR walk (see main pic), followed by fashion shows from Hairdressing Skills Development Organisation (HSDO), Lucky Seven, Kolej Komuniti Batu Gajah, Rohacraft, Rette Tianita & Sha-Nad Studio, FM@Cheongsam, Dreamwear by Manju Dhakal, Ipoh-born Khair Johari and Farel Mikhail X Precious of Malaysia.
Street and by the sea fashion
Apart from the Royal Charity Gala Dinner, IIFW saw the heritage streets of Ipoh along Jalan Bandar Timah turning into a fashion runway.
Over 10 fashion designers provided a stunning visual feast with the models doing their catwalk down memory lane flanked by the majestic pre-colonial shophouses and heritage buildings.
IIFW ended with much pomp and grandeur at Lumut Waterfront Maritime with the collaboration of Manjung Municipal Council and Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) by turning the waterfront into a dazzling showcase of fireworks, navy march and orchestra, performances by local artist, Ayu Damit as well as colourful fashion show.
Francis Yip is a fashionista and an award-winning writer and HRDF (Human Resource Development Fund)-accredited trainer. He is also the CEO of Franciswriter Dot Com and guest lecturer in The One Academy.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
