Friday, 5 December 2025

Author: Vicky Fong

From kung fu to the steppes

From the 98th floor of Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka 118 to the open steppes of Mongolia, Melinda Looi’s 2026 Chinese New Year collections – Looi Fu Hustle and Mellgolian – fuse cinematic flair, martial arts energy and nomadic spirit. The avant-garde designer’s showcase blends nostalgia, humour and couture, inviting guests to

VIMONO by Anastasia: Vintage elegance revived

VIMONO by Anastasia transforms authentic vintage Japanese kimonos into versatile, contemporary cardigans, blending cultural heritage with modern style. Each one-of-a-kind piece celebrates craftsmanship, history, and effortless elegance, making traditional garments wearable and relevant for today’s wardrobe. Where tradition meets contemporary style WHEN I was first approached to write about vintage

Old charm, new life

The writer revisits Jalan Sin Chew Kee, a street near her first home in Kuala Lumpur, reflecting on how it has changed. Once a quiet row of colonial terrace houses, it is now a lively spot of cafés, restaurants, and design studios, blending the old and the new, much like

Art meets empathy

‘Am I Okay?’ is a community-driven mental health art exhibition by Miri-based volunteers that uses creativity, storytelling, and interactive experiences to help visitors explore emotions, spark conversations, and promote understanding across generations. Young artists spark national conversation on mental health through art IN a world where “I’m fine” often masks

ESU Malaysia hosts global conference on English as a global language

THE English-Speaking Union (ESU) of Malaysia, renowned for organising the prestigious national public speaking competition for Malaysians aged 16 to 20 over the past two decades, proudly hosted the ESU International Conference Meeting (ICM) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur from September 29 to October 2, 2025. The conference brought together 30

MODA shines with new makeover

With a renewed vision and a dynamic new team, MODA is redefining what Malaysian fashion stands for — one that celebrates inclusivity, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose among designers across the nation. New Chapter of Innovation and Inclusivity in Fashion Change is in the air at the Malaysian

From memory to mural

In the quiet coastal village of Pasir Pandak, art, memory, and conservation converge through the Frugal Artist-in-Residence (FAiR) project – a collaboration between Malaysian and UK institutions that transforms local stories and environmental concerns into creative expressions of hope and renewal. Reviving a Coastal Heritage through Arts and Conservation PASIR

Where technology meets fashion

In a stunning fusion of haute couture and high technology, Malaysian designer Dr Fara Mas unveiled CYBER GLAM, a futuristic collection that blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds. Showcased at the iMSTYLO NFT event in Kuala Lumpur, the collection marks a bold new era where blockchain, innovation,

Edgy meets Earth: Nasha Prive wins big at Borneo Fashion Week 2025

Kuching-born designer, Nasha Namara, and his label, Nasha Prive, stole the spotlight at Borneo Fashion Week 2025 with a bold, sustainable collection that fused Bornean heritage with urban edge – earning him the coveted Best Designer award. Sustainability in Style IN a dazzling showcase of creativity, culture and conscious design,

M World and M Universe Grand Pageant 2025 – When Beauty Meets Purpose

The M World and M Universe Grand Pageant 2025 lit up Kuala Lumpur with a celebration of global beauty, cultural pride and purpose-driven elegance — proving that modern pageantry is about more than crowns and catwalks. A New Era of Elegance It was a beauty pageant unfamiliar to me, yet