MIRI: Borneo Fashion Week (BFW), which provides a platform for local designers to showcase their creations based on motifs from Borneo, is returning for its second edition this year.
Deemed as the most significant event in Borneo’s fashion calendar and the biggest fashion event in the state, BFW 2018 – organised by Borneo Ads Sdn Bhd – will run from Sept 7 to 9.
“The inaugural event held last year was a success despite the lack of funds, and we are working towards organising our second instalment of Borneo Fashion Week, scheduled for Sept 7 to 9.
“Further details will be announced on a later date. We hope that this year would be better than the previous year,” BFW director Stephanie Alcantara told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
She emphasised that BFW aims to promote Sarawak as a leading fashion hub in Southeast Asia especially with the evident diversity in ethnicity in Sabah and Sarawak.
The one-of-a-kind event provides an inside look at the world of fashion and ethnic design through diversified programmes and activities including fashion shows, workshops and pop-up stores, she added.
“BFW 2018 will be similar to Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week which is being held every year.
“We are looking at highlighting local and emerging talents in designers, enthusiasts, traders and students to promote Borneo fashion motifs and fabrics, including Pua Kumbu and the Lotud geometric motifs,” said Stephanie.
The three-day BFW 2018 will feature fashion shows by local designers based on motifs from Borneo, a red-carpet event, an after-party as well as fashion and beauty workshops, press conferences, exhibitions and sale of products by the participants.
“Several famous fashion designers have already confirmed their participation, including Azhar Zainal, Anna Sue Designs, Amanda Brown, Debonair, Rasta Rashid, Tamma, Uvaness Vary and Nila Palacious.
“Limkokwing University has also indicated interest in sponsoring a degree in fashion design and retailing worth more than RM100,000 to a winning designer,” she revealed.
Stephanie said apart from local and foreign tourists, BFW 2018 is also expected to be attended by fashion journalists and celebrities.
“BFW 2018 will be positioned as an annual event to increase inbound (tourist) traffic into Sarawak and slated to be held after the annual Rainforest World Music Festival,” she added.
The closing ceremony will have the prestigious BFW Awards to be presented to new and established designers from around Asia in recognition of their talents.
“In keeping with the youth engagement direction, BFW 2018 will also introduce the sought-after award, the Limkokwing Fashion Design Scholarship and an award where young emerging designers will be recognised and stand a chance to win a coveted fashion degree with the university,” said Stephanie.
Three awards – BFW Emerging Designer of the Year 2018, BFW Designer of Year 2018, and Most Promising Sarawak Designer 2018 – will be presented to winning designers, while the BFW 2018 Model of the Year award will go to a deserving individual on the closing day.
Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, wife of Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, is expected to attend the event as patron of BFW 2018 while Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s wife, Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku
Bujang, will be the guest-of-honour.