KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The inaugural Kuala Lumpur Fashion Festival 2026 (KLFF 2026), founded by Malaysian designer Carven Ong, brought fashion, culture and community together at Intermark Mall this month to spotlight the country’s creative talent.

Held from October 6 to 18, the two-week festival featured some of Malaysia’s most respected names in fashion, including Ong, Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi, Datuk Radzuan Radziwill and Celeste Thoi.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the festival partnered with the National Cancer Council Malaysia (MAKNA), turning the mall’s Atrium into a sea of pink throughout the festival.

Its key highlight on October 15 featured runway presentations by the participating designers and a special performance by Atilia Haron, celebrating creativity while raising awareness for the cause.

Jeweller Poh Kong joined the festival in conjunction with its 50th anniversary, collaborating on a special runway showcase pairing contemporary Malaysian fashion with fine jewellery craftsmanship.

Intermark Mall marketing general manager Evelyn Woon said hosting the festival was a natural extension of the mall’s ongoing “Hail Heritage” initiative, which celebrates Malaysian heritage and champions local talent.

“At Intermark Mall, we have always believed that every meaningful experience begins with a story,” she said.

“When Carven shared his vision for Kuala Lumpur Fashion Festival, we saw an opportunity to support a platform that celebrates Malaysian creativity and craftsmanship while creating opportunities for designers and industry talents to connect with new audiences.

“It reflects everything we stand for under our Hail Heritage philosophy, which is about celebrating the people, traditions and stories that define who we are.”

Beyond celebrating established names, the festival aims to create a platform that will continue to inspire, nurture and elevate Malaysian creative talent in the years ahead.

The mall’s signature Japanese eatery, Hanare Japanese Restaurant, was the festival’s official food and beverage sponsor, serving Japanese-inspired canapés during the cocktail session.

Homegrown tenant Groom Artistry came on board as the official hairstylist, styling looks across all the designer showcases.