Malaysian fashion house, Tom Abang Saufi (TAS), celebrated 40 years of design excellence at the Islamic Fashion Festival in Kuala Lumpur. The showcase highlighted heritage-inspired prints and modern silhouettes, blending Sarawakian tradition with contemporary style.
Four Decades of Malaysian Fashion
THE Islamic Fashion Festival, held in the splendid setting of the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, brought an elevated sense of elegance to modest fashion throughout its three-day showcase. Among the standout highlights was the celebration of Malaysian fashion house, Tom Abang Saufi (TAS), which marked its 40th anniversary with a spectacular fashion presentation titled ‘Weaving the Past, Dressing the Future’ on November 25.
The event was graced by the presence of HRH Sultanah Nur Diana Petra Abdullah of Kelantan, members of royalty, and distinguished guests from Malaysia’s elite circles. Sarawakians were also proudly represented, including Dato’ Emma Ibrahim, designer Yacutha, and yours truly, to name a few.
This milestone showcase honoured four decades of design excellence by Dato’ Indera Tom Abang Saufi, whose creative vision has significantly shaped the landscape of modern Malaysian fashion. Her signature heritage-inspired prints, fluid silhouettes, and timeless aesthetic have long distinguished TAS as an icon of contemporary cultural expression.
Adding to the celebrations, on November 24, Tom Abang Saufi received the Islamic Fashion Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade recognised her exceptional contributions to Malaysia’s fashion industry, her enduring global influence, and her unwavering commitment to preserving and modernising the nation’s cultural identity through design.
Born in Kuching, Sarawak, Tom Abang Saufi is a pioneering force in Malaysian fashion. Over four decades, she has dressed royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Her designs are renowned for their effortless sophistication, which merges tradition with contemporary form, helping place Malaysian fashion firmly on the global map. Her philosophy remains simple yet profound: style should look effortless, feel comfortable, and remain deeply rooted in one’s heritage.
So, what did the TAS fashion showcase look like at Islamic Fashion Week 2025, a festival founded and organised by Dato Raja Shah Reza?
The Intro show highlighted her family and her journey from her hometown, Kuching, to the global stage. It celebrated her legacy with a collection that was a striking reflection of her signature style, richly infused with Sarawak heritage and motifs.
Pua kumbu, ikat, and rotan weaves appeared throughout the designs, with traditional elements reimagined with a contemporary twist. The colours were notably richer, while embellishments were used thoughtfully, adding allure without overwhelming the garments.
The result was fashion that remains timeless yet current, deeply rooted in Bornean identity yet resonating across cultures.
“This show is about celebrating the journey with the people, the stories, and the creativity that shaped who we are. Fashion may change, but values will not. Heritage gives us identity; innovation keeps us alive,” said Tom Abang Saufi, Founder and Creative Director of TAS.
As a Sarawakian, she describes the state as “a landscape that moves at a steadier rhythm, where mornings rise quietly from the riverbanks, evenings fold themselves through ancient trees, and the colours of the land linger in the heart before they ever appear to the eye”.
Reflecting on the Middle Eastern influence within the collection, she explained that designing for the women of the Middle East requires profound and tender respect for their inherent elegance, emotional depth, and the intimate relationship they maintain with what they wear.
For her, modesty is not simply a fashion choice but a language communicating dignity, clarity of intention, and inner power. Her silhouettes are shaped to honour that language, moving with the woman rather than overwhelming her, resulting in pieces that balance effortless simplicity with refined sophistication.
The TAS brand today
Under the leadership of Dirk Adam Luebbert, Group CEO of Sunshine International Group, the TAS brand continues to strengthen its position as one of Malaysia’s leading heritage-based fashion houses.
With its ready-to-wear line, TAS by Tom Abang Saufi, the brand has successfully expanded into e-commerce through Zalora and www.tomabangsaufi.com, making designer heritage wear more accessible to a new generation while maintaining the quality and authenticity synonymous with the label.
TAS stands for “Heritage and stories woven into every print”.
Its values of ‘Connection, Joy, Sustainability, and Accessibility’ guide every creation, ensuring each design not only celebrates Malaysia’s cultural tapestry but also brings people closer through shared stories and modern elegance.
