Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2025 opened in striking style with a collaborative showcase led by heritage textile house Sofia Iman, reimagining Malaysia’s traditional ‘songket’ for a modern, global audience.
Heritage Reimagined, Style Redefined
AFTER a successful showcase at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2024 in its purpose-built show space on part of the Esplanade at KLCC Park, the event returned for its 13th season to the same venue in Kuala Lumpur.
For the Opening Show on August 4, I was among the first guests to step into the sleek, monochrome, single-storey structure. The journey began with registration, continued through a row of promotional booths, and culminated in the main show hall – an impressive space featuring three runways branching out from a central point beside a massive LED screen.
The first familiar face I spotted was none other than Andrew Tan, KLFW’s founder, who greeted me warmly and paused for a quick photo.
This year’s crowd felt noticeably different, with fewer baby boomers and far more millennials and Gen Z. Outside the sleek show tent, the fashion-savvy queued patiently, but the wait was far from dull. Photographers kept their lenses trained on anyone strikingly stylish or effortlessly beautiful. The entrance line became an impromptu runway – a place to see and be seen.
As an early bird, yours truly was rewarded with a thoughtful gift from Signature and the very first taste of Magnum’s special strawberry ice cream, complete with decadent garnishes.
Inside the registration and waiting hall, guests mingled freely, posing for photos with friends and designers supporting other shows. I like to call it the “networking hall” – the perfect place to linger before the rush to queue for the main event. Gossip was exchanged, updates were shared, and connections were either discreetly forged or loudly celebrated.
KLFW 2025 opened with Sofia Iman, a heritage textile custodian renowned for reimagining traditional songket into dramatic, fashion-forward pieces. A live band playing traditional-style music set the mood as the 500 seats gradually filled.
Among the distinguished guests were KLFW founder Andrew Tan and Datuk Sr Mohd Salem Kailany, CEO of KLCC (Holdings) – which manages key assets in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, including Suria KLCC and the PETRONAS Twin Towers precinct. His attendance carried special significance, as the show was presented in collaboration with Suria KLCC.
For Sofia Iman, opening KLFW 2025 marked a full-circle moment – tracing back to the brand’s humble beginnings at a promotional booth in Suria KLCC in 2008. Being chosen as the opening designer for its first-ever KLFW runway was both an honour and a validation of its mission.
“This showcase is the culmination of years of dedication, creativity, and staying true to our cultural roots,” said Faralina, founder of Sofia Iman.
“Our presence at Suria KLCC has shown us that customers want modern interpretations of songket they can incorporate into their daily lives. This collection was a direct response to that. Opening KLFW 2025 was an unparalleled opportunity to present our story, honour our artisans, and share Malaysian craftsmanship with a broader audience.”
Themed ‘Heritage Reimagined, Style Redefined‘, the presentation was a collaborative showcase featuring eight Malaysian designers – ABU, Ashley @ Kapas, Atelier Prive Melson, FUZA by Fuzana Mokhtaza, Jimmy Lim, Jimmy Wong, TANGOO, and Uzair Shoid. Each contributed at least three looks, offering their own modern interpretation of songket.
The standout was the bold, innovative reimagining of traditional songket, blending artisanal weaving techniques with contemporary silhouettes – positioning this centuries-old textile as a fashion-forward statement with global appeal. For many, it was their first time designing with songket.
Designer Jimmy Lim reflected after the show:
“Yes, it is my first time working with this traditional textile. The Jimmy Lim label has always leaned towards luxe streetwear and athleisure. I wanted to merge both tradition and modernity so people today, and beyond, could wear it. It creates a chemistry and interesting looks when the two worlds combine.”
Lim added that each designer was given five sampin songket materials to create three looks.
“It was very challenging,” he admitted, “but everyone did a fantastic job.”
The audience clearly agreed, responding with thunderous applause – a standing ovation in spirit, if not in form. It was a rousing finale to KLFW’s Opening Show, honouring Malaysia’s cultural heritage while fearlessly reimagining its place in the modern world.
