Wednesday, May 3, 2017

PART 5 OF MERCEDES-BENZ STYLO ASIA FASHION FESTIVAL

KEE@FSWMAG.COM


MERCEDES BENZ STYLO ASIA FASHION FESTIVAL’s 10th ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATIONS KICK OFF WITH
“FASHION OSCARS PRESENTING MY FAIR LADY…OR GENTLEMEN”
A SHOWCASE OF GLAMOUROUS EVENING WEAR BY DESIGNERS AND THEIR MUSES

To mark its 10th anniversary, Malaysia’s leading fashion festival, the Mercedes-Benz STYLO AsiaFashionFestival 2017 kicked off five nights of fashion entertainment in a stunning display of creativity and colour at its opening gala at Bangsar South’s KL Gateway Mall.

Themed, “50 shades of RED”, this year’s festival saw the newly opened KL Gateway Mall transformed into a glitzy and glamourous cinematic platform to honour the classic icons of fashion, TV and movies past and present. Bedecked in red and black with crystal chandeliers, the concourse area and third floor of the prestigious shopping mall took on an air of glitzy sophistication as designers and guests prepared for a multi-sensorial night of drama.

A classic black and red STYLO arch stood at the entrance of KL Gateway Mall and a resplendent display of the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz automobiles greeted A-listers as they moved along the red carpet.

In signifying the opening of the festival, a beautiful carriage embellished with tinsel was drawn out onto the concourse bearing a red STYLO tape. 

Following that, a ribbon-cutting ceremony commenced, led by Dato Nancy Yeoh-Reissiger, President & CEO of STYLO International and Chairman of MBSTYLOAFF together with Dr. Claus Weidner, President, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia; Professor Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE, Honorary Advisor of Mercedes-Benz STYLO AsiaFashionFestival; Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of The Star Media Group; Datuk Ter Leong Hing, Group Managing Director, Suez Capital Sdn Bhd; Datin Winnie Loo, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Creative Director of A Cut Above; Jeremy Khaw, Commercial Manager for Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand Beam Suntory; and Julia Teo, Associate Marketing Director for Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena.

Models wearing specially designed STYLO t-shirts then appeared on a specially constructed runway as a prelude to the night’s fashion entertainment.


Dato Nancy Yeoh said, “On behalf of STYLO, we are pleased to present our 10th anniversary edition showcasing the best of Asian and Malaysian fashion. STYLO began as a lifestyle fringe event in support of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix 10 years ago, and I’m proud to say that it has gone on to become one of the most visible and talked-about fashion events in the region.”

The night opened with “Fashion Oscars presents My Fair Lady or Gentlemen”, featuring glamourous evening gowns, party dresses and dapper suits from Malaysian and International fashion designers and their muses.  

The show premiered with a range of creatively quirky bags depicting the grace and beauty of migratory birds by Illiza Ho, a Malaysia-based Taiwanese designer and protégé of world-renowned shoe couturier, Professor Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE. This was quickly followed by a presentation of eight high street “My Fair Lady Goes to Malaysia” looks in black, navy blue, maroon and brown by Nawre.

Next, Malaysian couturier, Keith Kee showcased a colourful range of French lace and silk bridal dresses to an appreciative audience before Bran et Daguet took to the stage with stylish wear depicting the transformation of Eliza from flower girl to high society lady. Tangoo presented an enchanting, elegant collection that brings out the sophistication and mystique of a woman. The mood of the show then switched to being light and flirty with Bluebelle by Nadia Razak showcasing chic, crisp white separates and soft ruffles combined with songket and embellishments putting a modern take on traditional elements. 

Dominique Chan showcased sexy but classy couture emphasizing simplicity and contemporary design whilst Ashley@Kapas presented another dimension of Anita Sarawak – black, sleek and sexy designs.

Guests were treated to a beatbox performance before the second part of the night commenced with a show themed, “Dark Romance - English Rose Garden” by Malaysian designer, Toi – The Dressmaker featuring stunning gowns and elaborate eclectic headgear by Bremen Wong. Wong also showcased two of his own signature looks at the show. Following the fashion show, participating designers and their muses were presented with the Fashion Oscars Winner 2017 awards.

The opening night ended with a grand finale photo opportunity with designers, muses and festival partners on stage; and beatboxers and models on percussion leading guests to the after party.  

Mark Raine of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, “Mercedes-Benz is pleased to return as the title sponsor of yet another STYLO AsiaFashionFestival which has become Malaysia’s premier fashion event. This year’s MBSTYLOAFF is particularly special as it marks the 10th Anniversary of STYLO and 10th year partnership between Mercedes-Benz and STYLO International.

“Mercedes-Benz is a committed supporter of fashion industries around the world and we are excited to join in the festivities in celebration of excellence in creativity and design as we showcase our newest range of automobiles this fashion season,” added Raine.

Partners and sponsors of this year’s MBSTYLOAFF include KL Gateway Mall, Neutrogena, Auchentoshan Whisky, Mantra Rooftop Bar & Lounge, Trinidad Tobacco, Truefitt & Hill, Robb Report, Luxury Guide, Airbus Helicopters Malaysia, Fraser Yachts, A Cut Above, Keep It Local, The International SeaKeepers Society Asia, Fashion Revolution, VistaJet, LOGO, Nestle® Kit Kat®, Makeup Miracle and BIMS International. 

About STYLO
Launched with Mercedes Benz in 2007 by SPB Tuanku Nur Zahirah, the Raja Permaisuri Agung and Dato' Jimmy Choo, STYLO was conceived as a fashion and lifestyle fringe event in celebration of the 10th year of F1 racing in Sepang. The first STYLO event, held in March 2008 was called the STYLO KL Fashion Festival. 5 months later, it entered Singapore with Mercedes Benz as its principal sponsor for the launch of the first ever F1 night race in Singapore and was called STYLO  Singapore Fashion Festival.

Two years later it was renamed as the Mercedes-Benz STYLO Fashion Grand Prix.  Subsequently, STYLO spread its wings beyond Malaysia’s borders with events organised in fashion partnership with Mercedes Benz in Delhi, Mumbai, Prague and Mexico City as it celebrated the combination of speed and fashion.

Next came Jakarta and London in 2011.

In conjunction with Mercedes-Benz’ 150th anniversary celebrations in 2012, Mercedes-Benz STYLO Asia Fashion Week (AFW) was born and held its first AFW concurrently as the STYLO Fashion Grand Prix.

Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and STYLO became partners in 2013 with the Malaysia Fashion Week. It is the country's first B2B fashion initiative; in 2015 Malaysia Fashion Week brought RM126 millions of soft exports to the country. The MFW runs concurrently with the AFW, bringing participants from over 17 countries to Malaysia every November. 

This year, the Malaysia Formula One will no longer be held in March but in October. STYLO will be showcased as a fashion show at the evening of the Mercedes Benz Petronas F1 party.
However, in maintaining the tradition of having a fashion event every March since 2008, the Mercedes Benz STYLO AsiaFashionFestival has been created in March featuring Autumn Winter and classic collections from top Asian designers for a B2C showcase. These include accessories designers such as hair, make up, bags and shoes.
        





















































































BRANDON TAN







































No comments: