23th November, Kuala Lumpur - The most anticipated fashion event of the year in Malaysia, the Malaysia International Fashion Week 2006 (M-IFW 06) kicked off with an opening ceremony and showcase featuring Padini that was officiated by Guest of Honour YB Dato' Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Deputy Finance Minister of Malaysia.
 
M-IFW 06 showcase the newest in pret-a-porter and haute couture (high fashion) collections following the theme of Trend Asia 2007, conceptualised to showcase "NEXT" Asian Trene-s and fashion articulation from Malaysia's well established fashion leaders, with the vision and aim of positioning Kuala Lumpur as the Fashion Hub of Asia.



M-IFW 06, previously known as the Kuala Lumpur-Asia Fashion Week (KLAFW), has also been named the International Component of the November Fashion Marathon presented by Tourism Malaysia, in order to create an international trade platform for local fashion talents to penetrate the global fashion market through the participation of foreign buyers and trade professionals.

More than 60 local designers and fashion labels alongside 20 international luxury brands that include watches, shoes and handbags are showcasing more than 1,000 pieces of new creations at M-IFW 2006. Following in the tradition of the past fashion weeks (KLAFW), organizer MIFA also aims to create a bustling and diverse local fashion scene with the inclusion of international brands. This year, international names such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Cacharel, Lanvin, Matthew Williamson, Temperley, Anna Sui, See by Cho6, Yves Saint Laurent, Anya Hindmarch, Corum and Harry Winston have also joined the ranks of M-IFW 2006 and are adding more glamour and prestige to the event by showcasing their latest creations in world-class showcases and exhibition booths respectively at the fashion week.


 

"Wi:h a brand new appeal and even more players on board, KLAFW enters into its third year as M-IFW 06 with greater perceptibility in the industry. In collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade & Industry "MITI" and Malaysia External Trade Corporation "MATRADE", we aspire to continue raising the benchmark by injecting many new elements simply to outdo ourselves to bring the industry to another level all together", said Syeba Yip, Founder & Managing Director of MIFA (Malaysia International Fashion Alliance), also the organiser of MIFW 2006.

New to the rundown this year include the "Islamic Fashion Festival" (IFF), created by Jato' Raja Rezza Shah, acclaimed protocol advisor and wedding planner of Datuk Siti Nurhaliza. IFF features over 12 leading designers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan, and presenting latest trends and creations in Islamic fashion to an international audience with the aim of putting Kuala Lumpur on the map as the leading trade centre for Islamic fashion.



M-IFW 2006 is the fashion event to look for, as it is expected to be a star magnet, drawing influential names from both the international fashion industry and entertainment arena to the event, including Datuk Professor Jimmy Choo O.B.E, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Eric Way, Camelia (The Face of M-IFW 06), modeling sensation Amber Chia and many more.

The fashion week ended in grand style with a special "A Tribute to Malaysian Craft" by Kraftangan Malaysia featuring beautiful Malaysian Textile and end with a "M-IFA After Party" principally sponsored by Mercedes Benz taking place back to back, where top honours are given to up and coming as well as veteran designers of the local fashion industry. The M-IFA awards ceremony enters its fourth consecutive year with the unwavering support of Mercedes-Benz, avid supporter of the local fashion scene.