KL in fashion: Newsflash, the scene is very much alive

KL’S fashion community stylishly strutted in full force this past week with the longest running fashion event in the city, the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW), taking place in the city centre.

Many wore their best looks to prove they have what it takes at making heads turn on the runway and on the streets.

Whether these glances come with criticism or admiration, it truly does not matter for those who are dressed ‘to the nines’ by their own accord. This is purely because fashion in itself is a form of individual expression – the rest is for the common public to sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

One thing is for certain, the air of confidence was definitely not affected, despite this year’s fashion week being embroiled with much drama and protest.

While discussions are still heated over the rightful matters, and there are not much crowd turnouts compared to the years before with the exception of the pandemic, the fashion energy is not entirely dead.

We know that Kuala Lumpur’s fashion scene goes beyond this annual event, with many pockets of smaller social activities and engagements held throughout the year, yet trend observers can’t help but put their focus towards Bukit Bintang. 

From hippy hairs and bell-bottoms to neo-grunge, this time around saw many styles, with a few bringing back the nostalgia of yesteryears. It is definitely entertaining to be transported back in time, seeing what the pop-culture trends were and are.

Another prominent highlight is the community has also welcomed drag expressions more visibly, which challenges – or should we say meld – the ideas of masculinity and femininity, disregarding fundamentalists that are out to blast moral convictions at any opportunity they find.

Love it or hate it, one can’t help but to feel hyped up with the dealings the industry currently holds. However, one does wonder what the next controversy will be – taking cues from the recent commotion in Kedah – and if it would dampen or encourage further fashion expression(s). 

Maybe that is the whole point, because how else would a particular scene or movement evolve?

Whatever the talking points may be, there is no denying that KL’s love for fashion is a direct reflection of how the city affirms itself to become an outlet for self-expression and empowerment. Otherwise, engagements like this would not be visible to begin with. – The Vibes, August 21, 2022