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25 Mar, 2012

ASEAN Fashion Week in Sarawak In September

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KUCHING, Malaysia, March 12 (NNN-Bernama) — Sarawak Tourism Minister Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is confident that the inaugural Asean Fashion Week here on Sept 10-16 this year will place the state in a strong position to promote its unique natural settings, including the indigenous fashion of Borneo, globally.

He said Sarawak models would be showcased in collaboration with the Sarawak Cultural Village, as a benchmark for the event, which is sanctioned by the Jakarta-based Asean Secretariat as well as by the state and federal tourism ministries.

“We have fashion designers of international repute but they must be exposed (to the industry at the international level), while the state will gain in terms of publicity as the audience will be global,” he told a media conference. The event which will also coincide with the annual Sarawak Regatta.

The event is expected to be broadcast to global audiences through international media and satellite service providers as well as live feeds and footage of all after-parties that are held at various locations in Kuching city, including by Fox International and Fashion TV channel.

He said the Asean Fashion Week, which showcases the stylish Asean designs originating from the 10-member states, would also see up to five leading fashion designers from each country competing on a regional stage, making it the fifth biggest after the big four fashion weeks held globally.

Japan, which had agreed to participate, had also expressed interest to conduct a workshop to provide insights into the fashion industry related to Japan or the industry as a whole, Abang Johari said. He said an invitation had also been extended to India, especially as it was the industry to Bollywood movie stars.

Asean fashion schools and institutions have also been invited to promote new and upcoming fashion talents with the aim of showcasing a one-of-its-kind couture. The Asean Fashion Week is rotated among Asean member states, with the next one in 2013 to be hosted by Cambodia in Phnom Penh.