Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Fashion graduates must have been beaming with pride. Their recent garments showcase at Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur literally stopped the traffic.

Hundreds of attendants, clutching shopping bags and photography equipment, swarmed the stage as student designers prepared their clothes for the catwalk.

The fashion show was part of the recent convocation. Titled Creativity in Motion, it was an ambitious project by the university to delegate 33 designers from seven countries with more than 100 designs.

The show was unusual as the models not only strutted on the catwalk but also danced to the music.

“It is not just a normal fashion event; this is an attitude show,” says president and founder Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing.

“It is full of character and attitude, this show is about expressing yourself well. Normal fashion shows are meant to sell clothes; this event is selling creativity. It is not about looking pretty but about making a statement. “

Creativity in Motion is a collection of fashion ideas from the world’s next generation, influenced by elements of Asian culture including the Manipuri dance of India, the Irezumi of Japan and the tribal paintings of Sarawak.

After the event, three awards were given to the designers who had shown admirable efforts, innovative designs and workmanship.

The recipients were Merlin Yuwita from Indonesia, Tan Cho Sian from Brunei and Andy Yap Hock King from Malaysia. Yap also won the Styllo Young Designers’ award 2009. “This fashion show is a lifetime achievement and I am honoured to be granted this award,” says Yap, whose garments were inspired by the Chinese folklore, The Last Empress.

“I’m glad this award validates my ideas in the garments, as they explore the abstract expression of Chinese costumes.”