CIMB Artober Art & Soul 2025 returned in spectacular fashion, uniting art, fashion, music and design in a dazzling cultural showcase that reaffirmed Malaysia’s growing global creative presence.
Weaving Sculpture, Performance, Storytelling into Couture
CIMB Artober Art and Soul 2025 (CIMB Artober) made a dazzling comeback for its fifth year, reaffirming its place as one of Malaysia’s most stylish and significant cultural showcases.
Organised by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, this annual flagship event was more than an art fair. It was a bold movement, positioning Malaysia’s creative economy at the heart of the global cultural conversation.
“Artober is about art for everyone. Art that inspires, challenges and compels us to reimagine the world,” said CIMB Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Novan Amirudin.
The Grand Launch
The launch unfolded with flair and spectacle, officiated by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Aziz.
He was joined by the Chairman of CIMB Group, Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, and Novan, alongside delegates from the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting. Their presence underscored Malaysia’s growing reputation as a vibrant hub for creativity, culture and cross-border exchange.
The occasion blended glamour with purpose as VIPs, collectors, artists and style influencers mingled against a backdrop of bold installations. Guests arrived in statement looks such as jewel-toned ensembles, couture details, and edgy streetwear that rivalled the exhibitions themselves.
Art with Purpose
Since its stylish inception in 2020, CIMB Artober has raised over RM20 million for the art community and showcased more than 1,000 artworks annually. This year, the event continued its mission of inclusivity, amplifying marginalised voices while spotlighting the region’s most compelling talents.
The 2025 edition united over 30 galleries and 100 artists, with leading names such as Taksu, G13 Gallery, Art+ Contemporary, Galeri Sasha, O Sculpture Art Space, and Richard Koh Projects.
The result was a kaleidoscopic experience of masterpieces, avant-garde installations, and thought-provoking narratives that transcended borders while celebrating ASEAN’s cultural spectrum.
Avant-Garde Elegance: Melinda Looi
Among the highlights – including the Pahang Pavilion curated by HRH Tunku Azizah, rare artworks and handwoven crafts – was an arresting installation by Melinda Looi, Malaysia’s internationally acclaimed avant-garde designer.
Her mannequins, dressed in extraordinary, almost sculptural ensembles, drew constant crowds.
Looi, a pioneering force in Malaysian fashion for over 25 years, has mastered the balance between theatrics and the unusually beautiful.Her gothic-tinged, eclectic style is instantly recognisable, yet endlessly inventive.
Trained in stage costume design in Malaysia and Canada, she has since expanded into haute couture, prêt-à-porter, uniforms, sportswear and interiors.
At Artober, her installation was a reminder that fashion is art in motion, where sculpture, performance and storytelling are woven into fabric.
Iconic Stage Costumes Unveiled at MITEC
Fashion and music merged spectacularly at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, where Looi collaborated with Malaysian music powerhouse Aina Abdul for a special showcase.
The presentation unveiled eight of Aina’s most iconic stage costumes, all designed by Looi, each representing milestones in the singer’s artistic journey.
These couture creations, previously worn during landmark performances such as ‘Anugerah Juara Lagu’, ANWAA 3.0 and other celebrated concerts, were brought together for the first time in Aina’s Chamber of Curiosities.
The exhibition offered fans and fashion enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the synergy of couture and performance up close. Brimming with drama and detail, the garments revealed the storytelling power of fashion in amplifying music.
“Each of these costumes is not just a garment, but a story, crafted with passion, emotion and a deep respect for Aina’s artistry,” said Looi.
“Performing in Melinda’s designs gave me the freedom to express myself beyond music. I was excited that fans could finally witness these pieces as living art,” added Aina Abdul.
Art, Fashion and Beyond
What sets CIMB Artober apart is its ability to fuse multiple creative realms of art, fashion, music and design into one cohesive cultural moment.
The 2025 edition did not merely display art on walls; it presented creativity as a living, breathing force that shapes how we dress, perform and express identity. As guests moved from gallery booths to Aina Abdul’s embellished gowns, the line between spectator and participant blurred.
To attend CIMB Artober was to be both a witness and a canvas – with your outfit, your gaze, your presence contributing to the larger tableau.
From September 26-28, CIMB Artober 2025 proved that art in Malaysia is not just thriving. It is stylish, daring and undeniably global.
From Art & Soul, one truth lingered: in this vibrant space where brushstrokes meet hemlines, and sculpture converses with song, Malaysia’s creative economy is not only alive but dressed to impress.
