FASHION, be it flashy or thrashy, is always a hot topic. People talk about celebrities who have become fashion icons, or those who have such bad taste that they’ve even been nominated worst dresser of the year.  

Although celebrities in Malaysia don’t come under the same scrutiny as in Hollywood, the way they dress gets a fair share of the limelight. But it’s even better when all that publicity goes towards a good cause. 

Former beauty queens will be taking to the catwalk to showcase outfits created by Malaysian designers for charity. The shopping event, It’s A Girl Thing, will see nine designers/labels pooling their talents for a Charity Auction Fashion Show on Nov 23 at 3.30pm at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Proceeds will go to the Selangor and Federal Territory Spastic Children’s Association.

Alluring: Evening gown made
from Thai silk and netting,
by Donna Chew.

Celebrity designer Melinda Looi has come up with a pleated dress made from silk chiffon, from her Autumn/Winter 2007 collection. The mood of the collection, says Looi, gives the impression of saints marching in perfect precision. Big motif embroidery and buttons are used to add colour and definition to the outfit, which will be modelled by Lina Teoh. 

Designer Donna Chew will be offering something from her Spring/Summer 2006 collection. The evening gown is made from Thai silk and netting, which infuses two different colours of netting put together to create a two-tone mode. Chew wants the woman who wears this to feel feminine, pretty and sexy. She also wants to do her bit for charity, and hopes others will follow suit. Elaine Daly will be modelling her creation. 

Khoon Hooi feels a dress is no more than an ordinary collection of fabrics sewn together if the details are not acknowledged. His dress, which will be worn by Melissa Ann Tan, offers a combination of rich silk trim with fine cut French lace to reflect the capable cosmopolitan woman. He defines this as someone who is strong and confident, yet maintains her femininity and individual style. 

Sunshiny: Khoon Hooi’s creation
is a combination of rich silk trim ]
and fine cut French lace.

Arianna Teoh will wear Tom Abang Saufi’s design, a ready-to-wear kurta embellished with big beading of the same colour, which serves as a reminder of holiday resorts, beaches and the azure sea. The outfit is chic enough for urban outings, a cocktail party or dinner on the beach.  

From Calvin Thoo comes a light dusty peach dress made from silk chiffon and crepe fabrics. The designer wanted a modern and feminine dress with a touch of Asian textile art, hence the deep scalloped neckline and the embroidered hem of the sleeves. Taken from Thoo’s Spring/Summer 2008 collection which is based on natural and neutral tones, beading is kept to a minimum to emphasise the luxurious fabrics and comfortable cut. Emmeline Ng models for Thoo. 

Beatrice Looi will have Constance Lau walking out in a semi-mermaid cut dress made from super crepe, red silk chiffon laced with Japanese corded lace that accentuates the female figure. 

Mix ’n’ match: Trendy ensemble
by Kohimaran.

shley for Kapas offers an outfit inspired by Anita Sarawak with a 60s jazzy feel. The dress, to be worn by celebrity Erra Fazira, has hand-drawn motif in Thai silk, with French black lace and black netting, detailed with red crystals.  

Kohimaran is well-known for its pashminas made from cashmere wool from the undercoat of the Himalayan mountain goat, which is said to produce the best natural insulation in the world. This will be wrapped around Samantha Schubert, who will also be showing off a timepiece from Techno Marine.  

The brand was founded in 1997 with the launch of Raft, a chronograph on a transparent plastic strap. Techno Marine, which offers an entirely new category of luxury fashion timepieces, was initially conceived as a “vacation souvenir watch”.