Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2016 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian designers are taking Shanghai, a fashion capital of China, by storm at an event called Malaysia Lifestyle and Fashion Showcase scheduled for 10th November 2016. A total of 17 local designers offering collections ranging from ready-to-wear apparels, fabrics and materials, as well as accessories such as shoes, handbags and jewellery products are taking part in the event organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), an agency under Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Themed as “Choose Malaysia: Crafted for a Unique Style, Shanghai”, the event is aimed at providing a platform for Malaysian designers to tap into the China’s huge fashion market. Participating local brands include Melinda Looi, Bill Keith, Lewre, Blancheur, Porosus, Keith Kee, Fairuz Ramdan, Noor Arfa Batik, Pearly Wong, Ardana Haran, Durrah Jewellery, Artelier Gallery, CMY Jewel, Kong Brothers and Mayas Fabrique, Kitty Yi and You & Me. At the event, the local designers will have the opportunities to pitch in front of potential buyers, distributors, retailers as well as investors with runway presentations of their collections.

One of the highlights at the event is a collection by two of Malaysia-renowned fashion brands, Bill Keith and Noor Arfa Batik. The duo, through a strategic collaboration, will be presenting their ready-to-wear collection inspired by Batik that is aptly designed for the Chinese market. Through the collaboration, Bill Keith will be designing his ‘Qipao’ collection paired with new and unique Batik motifs from Noor Arfa Batik.
“Such collaboration provides an opportunity for Batik makers such as Noor Arfa Batik to transform their conventional batik to a more contemporary and modern designs that suit international preferences. MATRADE urges more designers to emulate similar strategy (by establishing partnerships) to up their chances in penetrating global markets,” MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud said.

Another highlight at the event is the participation of four young and upcoming designers under the patronage of a fashion service provider called FSQUARE. The young designers - Fairuz Ramdan, Pearly Wong, Ardana Haran and Kitty Yi – will be featuring their ready-to-wear fast fashion apparels to the trendy fashion consumers in China. The designers’ participation in the Shanghai complements their recent participation in New Zealand Fashion Week where they have received strong interest from the local fashion community there.

Founder and Managing Director of FSQUARE, Ms Doreen D'Raj said that the efforts by MATRADE in organising the event in Shanghai, embodies the importance for creative and lifestyle industry in Malaysia to be more engaged in global ventures. “This is a goal and strategy FSQUARE supports as it offers a platform for our designers to be more competitive in fashion trade,” she said.

China is the largest mass fashion market in the world and is also one the fastest growing markets for fast fashion. China’s retail market for apparels and accessories has exceeded RM630 billion last year and this amount is expected to double by 2025. With the number of middle class consumers in China expected to increase to 600 million in the next decade, the Chinese consumers are expected to be trendier and more receptive towards high style fashion in the future.

“MATRADE, through its international linkages, helps Malaysian fashion and lifestyle designers and entrepreneurs explore the global market and highlight the signature appeal of their designs. The designers representing Malaysia at the event are carefully selected to ensure their collections will bode well to the Chinese customers’ preferences. I am confident that the Chinese fashion fraternity, fashion houses, retailers, distributors and investors will be amazed by the unique and specially crafted designs by Malaysian designers,” Dato’ Dzulkifli opined.

Malaysia’s exports of lifestyle and fashion products to China are on the rise. In 2015, exports of lifestyle and fashion products rose by 19.3 per cent to RM1.18 billion as compared to the previous year. In the first eight months of this year, exports continued to record double-digit growth and expanded by 18.2 per cent to reach RM842.10 million as against the same period in 2015.

The event in Shanghai is also a continuity of MATRADE’s initiatives to accelerate the performance of Malaysia’s soft exports. Other than the Shanghai event, MATRADE has partnered with Stylo International to organise Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW) since 2014. Come Nov 2 to 5 this year, the MFW will be returning for its third year providing an avenue for local designers and entrepreneurs to showcase their designs and creativity to international buyers through three main components - exhibition, fashion shows and business matching sessions.

The Malaysia Lifestyle and Fashion Showcase in Shanghai will be organised in conjunction with Malaysia Promotion Programme (MPP), themed as ‘Choose Malaysia’ also spearheaded by MATRADE, which is slated for November 9 to 12, 2016.

For more information, Malaysian companies in the fashion and lifestyle industry can contact MATRADE via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. With MATRADE’s 46 trade offices around the globe, Malaysian companies will be linked with potential business partners from around the world through MATRADE’s various export promotion platforms.