The Kuala Lumpur-Asia Fashion Week 2005 (KLAFW) launched
at the Aseana Galleria, Suria KLCC, was attended by representatives
of the 16 participating Asian countries, tourism officials, KLAFW
partners, fashion professionals and members of the media.

Guests were treated to a fashion show featuring six Asian labels
including Ghea, Milo's, Rizalman, Sarong, Tom Abang Saufi and Farah
Khan.

YB Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, SecretaryGeneral, Ministry of Tourism,
read the launch speech on behalf of Hon. Datuk Dr. Leo Michael
Toyad, Minister of Tourism, who said, "Through events such as this
and with the help of our talented designers, we hope that Kuala
Lumpur will one day be regarded as the fashion hub of Asia and be
included in the roll call of distinguished fashion cities of the world
such as New York, London, Paris, Milan and Tokyo."

Fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia,
KLAFW was founded to encourage the growth and development of
the fashion industry in Asia and, in particular, Southeast Asia.

Groundbreaking in idea and achievement, KLAFW first took to stage
last year, at Avenue K, the official venue, to 81 designers from 13
Asian countries - a feat never before accomplished at any other
fashion week in the region.

KLAFW 2005 will see over 80 fashion designers from 17 countries
including Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, showcasing the region's
newest and best Spring/Summer'06 creations under one roof,
reaffirming KLAFW 2005 as the largest assembly of fashion
designers from Asia.

International delegates attending KLAFW include designers, buyers
and members of the media hosted by Tourism Malaysia under the
Mega Familiarisation Programme. Its goals are to give firsthand
experience to foreign media invitees in Malaysia so that they can
create greater awareness about the destination. Nearly 200 overseas
delegates will participate in the KLAFW 2005 to boost awareness of
Malaysia's fashion landscape.

KLAFW 2005 will be a 5day nonstop fashion extravaganza from
23 rd - 27 th November 2005. This year, the KLAFW 2005 will be
held over two venues, the ultra modern avenue K as the official
venue, and the stateoftheart Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
as the trade venue.

The fashion week has lined up a series of dazzling fashion shows,
displays and trade opportunities at the Collection Showcase, the
Exhibition, the Grand Sale and the Fashion Awards ceremony,
the MIFA Gala.

KLAFW 2005 will also be an excellent opportunity for local and
international delegates to get connected, while exposing Malaysia's
and Asia's finest fashion designers to the world.


Avenue K will highlight fashion shows on a modern, minimalist and
chic stage on their ground level, by Annie Wong, Edmund Ser, Winnie
Liew, Richard Tsen, Terrance Soo, Variante, and guest designers
from India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam; an exhibition of
makeup, accessories and hair products by the Limkokwing University
of Creative Technology, and a Fashion Workshop by WGSN (World
Global Style Network), the world's leading trend analysis and news
service for the fashion industry.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will feature a relaxation
spa with compliments from the organizer, Vila Manja, Chic Nail Salon,
RAM Hair Salon, CDA, Callas, Julia Yap and a garden boutique setup
by Spring Cottage. The Grand Sale at the convention centre will have
more than 40 retail booths with designer goods, cosmetics,
accessories, jewellery, bags, shoes, batik, handicraft and decorative
items. The Exhibition comprises of designer booths, including a
combined group display of statement pieces by 30 local and
international designers.

KLAFW 2005 will officially launch into a week of high fashion with the
"Made In Malaysia" fashion showcase on 24 th November 2005, with
homegrown designer labels that have contributed to defining the
Malaysian style and fashion climate.

Following this, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will play host to a
series of other traffic stopping evening gala fashion showcases,
including "Asia Magic" on 24 th November 2005, a runway
extravaganza featuring 68 designers from the fashion capitals of
Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia
and Taiwan.

On 25 th November 2005, "Tribute to Fashion" focuses on the masters
of fashion from Malaysia, with some of the most important and
influential fashion designers from the 1980s.

The "KL Six", Malaysia's very own "item du jour" in fashion design
will take centre stage on 26 th November 2005.

The week of gala showcases will culminate in a night of prestige and
glamour at the MIFA Gala on 27 th November 2005.
Among the 30 Malaysian designers participating are Melinda Looi,
Khoon Hooi, Donna Chew, Edmund Ser, Daniel Cho, Albert King,
Frank Lai, Tom Abang Saufi, Beatrice Looi, Andy Sulaiman, Villiam
Ooi, Key Ng, Jonathan Cheng, Bill Keith, Michael Ong, Bernard
Chandran, Annie Wong, Richard Tsen, Radzuan Radziwill, Salikin
Sidek, Kem Salleh, Ashley Wong, Nazleen Noor, William Liew and
many more.

Notable catwalk personalities appearing are supermodels Patina Lin
from Taiwan; top Malaysian models Azura and Amber Chia; Miss
India 2005; Reshmonu and Kavita Sidhu.

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Issued by: Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 18 October 2005
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