On 18 August 2009, the graduates of Limkokwing University of Creative and Technology made history. More than 30 Fashion and Retail Design students showcased nearly 100 fashion pieces including elegant couture, casuals, cocktails and evening gowns.

The fashion show which was held at Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) was their final assignment for the course which ended last July.

The assignment required them to present designs with a cultural theme.

For both Muhammad Shairazi Shafiq, 21 and Tan See Mun, 21, they had chosen dance-based designs.

Dance Element

After conducting some analysis, Shairazi, better known as Aaren, decided on the Manipuri dance.

“I chose this concept after watching the artistic value and delicate movements of classical Indian dance on YouTube. The performance was so dramatic even though there was only one dancer. It was just as remarkable as the unique and impressive solo host, Oprah Winfrey from the show Oprah,” explains Aaren.

His enthusiasm practically boiled over when he discovered that the dance was translated from mimics, hand movement and eye contact.

Placing the Manipuri as his source flash of inspiration, Aaren and See Mun each came up with five designs.

His colourful designs, emphasized by patterns and embellished with rhinestones, were criticized by his lecturer.

Aaren admitted that he almost gave up and lost 20 kilograms (kg) in the process to complete the design.

He reckons that if it were not for the encouragement from one of his friends, perhaps his design would not be on the runway that day.

Synthetic

An admirer of Marilyn Monroe’s legendary fashion and beauty, and of renowned designer, Gianni Versace, Aaren spent RM600 on synthetic fabrics. His intent was to produce the desired effects of blown up short skirts, open long cuts and many more.

“From a person who was shy, I became bold and independent in attitude and in designing,” says Aaren whose involvement with the fashion industry includes selling his designs on his friend’s blog, lipstickstainsboutique.blogspot.

Meanwhile, Tan See Mun’s garments, which are similarly based on dances, also caught the attention of many.

Ever since his schooling days, See Mun had shown some talent in designing clothes. With her parents’ encouragement, she enrolled in the Creative Institute of higher education.

For See Mun, sketching ideas does come easily; the same ease did not apply to theme selection, fabrics and sewing style. See Mun admitted that it was difficult to look for a concept that could be accepted by others.

Commercial

“Kabuki is a famous drama-dance in Japan and other countries. I am sure it can be adapted into an innovative fashion. Playing with bold and striking colours like red and orange besides gold, my garments create a sexy feminine character.

“In my designs, the most intricate sewing techniques are on the sleeves. I look for strong material to support the sleeves,” says See Mun who spent more than RM3,000 on her creations.

The silk fabrics used were bought from the Jakel boutique at RM 68 per meter.

Citing Carven Ong, Khoon Hooi and Melinda Looi as her idols and sources of inspiration, See Mun managed to design five unique kabukis for the commercial market.

For the time being, she is gaining experience from a shoe designing company in Serdang, Selangor.

See Mun hopes to become a noted fashion designer one day.