Made in Malaysia: Tradition Meets Modern Craft
From fluid lines to tailored silhouettes, we highlight the work of Malaysian designers through the lens of movement and grace, exploring how artisanal fashion responds to the body in motion, while balancing tradition and a progressive point of view
Malaysian fashion is where heritage meets modern design
Malaysian designers are drawing on heritage while reimagining silhouettes for the present, balancing cultural identity with modern craftsmanship. Their latest work highlights how fashion in Malaysia is moving toward a language of motion and wearability, while staying grounded in tradition.
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The showcase begins with a contemporary take on the samfu, stripped of heavy accessories so the tailoring and fabric construction can stand on their own. Elsewhere, modern tailoring is combined with Malay ceremonial detail, underscoring how structure and heritage can coexist in a single ensemble.
Outerwear plays a recurring role, styled with traditional elements like the songkok to create looks that combine cultural formality with contemporary elegance. Silk tailoring punctuated by metallic accents brings a sharper edge, while a full-length coat paired with bold accessories emphasizes contrast and proportion.
Variations on heritage garments
The samfu returns in a variation that incorporates the sampin, demonstrating the garment’s versatility and continued relevance. In other looks, volume and proportion dominate outerwear-led designs, sharpened by metallic accents. A tailored set softened by a pleated skirt introduces movement and layering, creating a balance between strength and fluidity.
Minimalism emerges with a sharply tailored jacket worn bare, while a traditional tengkolok grounds the silhouette in cultural ease. Similarly, a streamlined ensemble pairs contemporary cuts with a batik sarong, reaffirming regional identity within modern tailoring.
The editorial concludes with a comfort-focused ensemble where songket is paired with soft tailoring. Built around movement and layering, the look illustrates how traditional fabrics can be reimagined for contemporary life. Taken together, the pieces highlight Malaysian fashion’s evolution into a space where heritage techniques, cultural identity, and forward-looking design meet, offering a singular voice on the global stage.
See the full fashion editorial in the pages of VMAN SEA 04, available in print and by e-subscription.
Photography Bibo Aswan
Creative direction Vince Uy
Fashion Mughni Che Din
Art direction Summer Untalan
Grooming Eranthe Loo
Model Daniel Amin Fleischer (Topboi Citizen)
Fashion assistant Surya Ammari
Photography assistant Amirul Irfan
