Esmod Graduation Fashion Show

Year after year, the graduates of ESMOD Kuala Lumpur set new precedents when it comes to creativity and style in their fashion design. This time around, the graduating student batches of Morph and Ciao truly seized the runway at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) during ESMOD Graduation Fashion Show 2018.

A total number of 115 garments by 23 young and promising fashion designers were debuted to the public eye at the grand event, revealing a huge spectrum of cultural inspirations, colors, influences and personalities that trademark the unique styles of ESMOD KL fashion designers. This show follows the success of last year’s graduation show themed ‘Astral éphémère’ which saw the debut of 17 new designers.

One of this year’s theme is Morph by batch FD 1409. Signifying a process of forming, the name reflects students’ willingness to embrace change. Morph’s philosophy aims to create meaning in fashion by reflecting their physical and spiritual development throughout the years in ESMOD KL. A look at their collection reveals inspirations from geometry, natural florals, heritage, pop culture and modernity.

Ciao is the theme for batch FD1503. An informal Italian salutation for ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’, the collection symbolises the end of an emotional ESMOD journey and a beginning to their new life. The collections are based on more abstract ideas such as emotions, relationships, self-love, social commentaries, futurism, juxtaposition, gratitude, empowerment and non-conformity.

International and local fashion design celebrities Bon Zainal, Brian Khoo and Sally Lau, among many others, graced the eventful night. Others also showed up to support the fresh faces who will soon be joining the fashion industry, among them is Andrew Tan, founder and organiser of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week RTW, and not forgetting the friends and families of designers, members of the media and social media influencers.

After the fashion show, ESMOD Paris Head of Fashion Design Paul Marchand, on behalf of ESMOD International, bestowed 5 prestigious awards to top students to honour their achievements. These exemplary students have shown consistent dedication towards fashion design throughout their 3 years with ESMOD KL, earning them a nomination by their lecturers to receive this award.

For Batch FD 1409 Morph, the Best Fashion Design Award went to Will Lim Kok Leong with his Autumn/Winer 2018 collection while the Best Pattern Making Award was won by Jesse Chan Su Ping with her collection ‘Lost In Time’.

Batch FD 1503 Ciao saw Ho Li Ren winning the Best Fashion Design Award with her collection ‘EMPOWOMENT’ and Shawn Er Chao Kin going home with the Best Pattern Making Award with his colourful and quirky ‘Juxtapose’ collection.

The Golden Needle Award 2018, considered one of the highest accolades for an ESMOD student, was coveted by Tan Win Shean from FD 1409 Morph with his collection ‘Upside Down’.

“We are very proud of what our students have achieved after undergoing our ESMOD Kuala Lumpur’s international programme. Upon graduation, most of our students will be starting their internship under the guidance of top fashion designers in the country as part of a close-knit collaboration with ESMOD KL. This has been ESMOD KL’s practice since the course was launched years ago,” said Tan Chin Wee, Group Executive Director of ESMOD Kuala Lumpur.

This graduation fashion show is also made possible thanks to the generous sponsors EIG Haircare Group, Private Colors Academy, Hair Porter and Mummy Design.