The future of Malaysian fashion took centre stage at MODA Next Wave, where emerging designers joined forces with hair artists to explore the creative possibilities of fashion, beauty and self-expression.
Held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil on 7 October, the showcase marked the second chapter of the Malaysia Official Designers Association’s (MODA) month-long FASHION IN MOTION festival, which kicked off on 1 October at Pavilion Damansara Heights in collaboration with Pavilion Malls.
The opening showcase brought together 30 local designers, each reimagining denim and songket — two contrasting materials — into striking contemporary silhouettes that celebrated the intersection of Malaysian heritage and modern fashion.
For MODA President Cyrus Chin, the campaign is about bringing Malaysia’s creative talents together and building strength through unity. Spanning three Pavilion malls, FASHION IN MOTION continues to create opportunities for local designers to connect with wider audiences and showcase their creativity.
Building on this vision, Next Wave turned its focus to nurturing emerging talent. The showcase paired 10 young fashion designers with 10 FIOLE hair artists, challenging each duo to create a complete look that brought together fashion design, hairstyling and visual storytelling.
The initiative builds on MODA’s commitment to developing Malaysia’s next generation of fashion talent through industry mentorship. From nationwide submissions, finalists received guidance from established designers, including Ariff Shukor, Ellie Lim, Fairuz Ramdan, Jimmy Wong and Justin Yap.
Dinna Loh was named the Next Wave Champion, while Pei Yi received Best Overall Look. Fashion students also had the opportunity to earn cash prizes, internships and MODA memberships, supporting their next steps into the industry.
Beyond the runway, FASHION IN MOTION also embraces a wider social purpose. On 10 October, MODA hosted UNSTOPPABLE PINK in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, supporting Pink Unity, a support group for women cancer survivors under the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM).
Participants walked together from Pavilion Damansara Heights to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, travelling via MRT to raise awareness and support fundraising efforts for the cause. The initiative added a meaningful community dimension to the festival, demonstrating how fashion can bring people together beyond the runway.
With FASHION IN MOTION continuing across Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Pavilion Damansara Heights and Pavilion Bukit Jalil throughout October, MODA is bringing Malaysian fashion, culture and creativity closer to the public while championing emerging talent and community initiatives.
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