FESYEN vs FASHION

What a way to start the morning! It was just the perfect pick me upper especially if you’ve not had your morning dose of caffeine.

Gorgeous lanky models draped in stylish punk wear with the words ‘Fashion is Boring’ strategically emblazoned across the outfits. Malaysian designer Jimmy Lim.NZ knew how to grab one’s attention and hold it.

It was a just the thing to kick off V Mag’s Asian Showcase at the recent Malaysia-International Fashion Week (M-IFW) 2007. Eleven designers from the Asian region - Syaiful Baharim from Malaysia, Brian Kerkoven from Sri Lanka, Resnha from Indonesia, Deepak Perwani and Maheen from Pakistan, Ivarluski Aseron and James Reyes from the Philippines, Mai Lam and Truong Thanh Hai from Vietnam, and Jatinn Kochhar from India - were invited to present their collection and for those us of raised on a diet of Western designers such as Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg and Jean Paul Gaultier, it was an eye-opening showcase that was without a doubt one of the highlights of M-IFW 2007.

After Lim’s radical designs, Kerkoven mesmerised with his minimalist black and red pieces that were simply elegant. Resnha’s gown collection boasted of clean lines with heavy embroidery. Perwani also opted for unfussy designs which were jazzed up with the use of diamante and sequins. Khan’s sprightly pink pieces were delightful, long flowing pieces that are great as casual wear.

Aseron’s funky geometric cuts would be the centre of attention of any event as would the quirky and playful designs of his countrymen Reyes. Mai’s collection had her signature rich, multi-dimensional embroidery and hand-stitching on natural fabrics. Her range of vintage US army flak jackets adorned with chic embellishments and embroidery a must-see. Truong’s avant garde pieces were loud and brash, catering for those with a strong personality.

If you love black, India’s sole rep Kochhar had some gorgeous chic black gowns. Syaiful brought the curtains down on the showcase with a collection that was great for work and play. And his coup was getting Dayang Nurfaizah to model his final piece