Twenty years into his fashion journey, Malaysian designer Hatta Dolmat closed Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2026 with a deeply personal runway that felt less like a celebration of an anniversary and more like a reflection of everything that has shaped him along the way.
For his KLFW 2026 closing show, Hatta presented two collections ‘LINGER’ and ‘SOUL’ bringing together memories, imagination, craftsmanship and his evolving perspective on couture.
Rather than simply looking back at two decades of work, the collections offered a glimpse into the designer’s personal world, with each telling a different part of his story.
‘LINGER’: When Memories Become Fashion
The first collection, ‘LINGER’, was inspired by something surprisingly simple: sunsets.
Having travelled across destinations including Malibu, Phuket and Sabah, Hatta had spent years photographing sunsets. But when he looked back at those photographs, he realised he remembered very little about the sunsets themselves.
What stayed with him were the people beside him, the conversations, the quiet moments and the emotions attached to those memories.
That idea became the foundation of ‘LINGER’.
Instead of recreating sunsets literally, Hatta translated the emotions they left behind into textiles. Layered colours, painterly textures and fluid ombré transitions appeared across the collection, giving the garments an almost dreamlike quality.
There was also a more intimate symbol behind the collection a cactus propagated by Hatta’s mother and given to him as a birthday gift.
Still growing in his studio today, the cactus represents resilience, love and, ultimately, home.
‘SOUL’: Where Couture Begins
If ‘LINGER’ looks back at what remains, ‘SOUL’ explores where creativity begins.
Created as the opening chapter of Hatta’s 20th anniversary celebration, the collection explores the emotions and imagination that sit behind every couture creation.
Across 10 looks, Hatta played with vibrant ombré tailoring, blue-and-gold featherwork, dramatic black designs embellished with gems and an oversized lightweight gown.
The collection also featured a hand-painted gown, a sculptural orchid-inspired dress, a turquoise gown with a plunging back, and bold yellow-and-green painted details.
One of the standout pieces was an oversized power jacket finished with graphic hand-painted outlines, adding a contemporary edge to the otherwise highly artistic collection.
Two Collections, One Story
What made the closing show particularly personal was how naturally the two collections connected.
‘LINGER’ is about memory. ‘SOUL’ is about imagination.
Together, they capture two sides of Hatta’s creative journey the experiences that stay with him and the imagination that continues to push his work forward.
After two decades in the industry, Hatta’s latest work suggests that his definition of couture has evolved beyond simply creating beautiful clothes.
It is about turning emotion, memories and personal stories into something people can wear and remember.
And perhaps that was the strongest message from the closing show: after 20 years, Hatta Dolmat is not simply looking back at where he has been.
He is still imagining where fashion can take him next.
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