Malaysian Islamic fashion wows Australian buyers and fashionistas

MELBOURNE : SheikhaHub founder Datin Norzihan Ahmad Latt is delighted to have brought her Islamic fashion collection to showcase at the internationally-acclaimed Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, here, during the weekend.

Fashion buyers and devotees were overwhelmed by the grace, colour and exquisite designs with ethnic touches of the muslimah collection on show at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Federation Square. 

 

"This is our first experience on the world fashion stage and despite being nerve wracking, especially performing before a full-house of admirers and critics in Melbourne, I think we did remarkably well judging from the applause we received," Norzihan told Bernama. 

 

"The models were lovely and the designers certainly made Malaysia proud," she said. 

 

"It was encouraging when we received a lot of genuine inquiries about our products." 

 

SheikhaHub is a platform to asssist entrepreneurs dedicated to the development of Islamic fashion via on ground activities (fashion shows, bazaars, networking sessions) and online assistance (directory, tips).

 

While here, Norzihan also made arrangements for Malaysian designers to visit fashion shops and buyers to talk business. 

 

SheikhaHub also showcased its fashion at the Merdeka anniversary celebration organised by the Malaysian Consulate at a hotel here, attended by about 120 people, including the consulate corps in Melbourne. It was the highlight of the evening. 

 

Norzihan, who has been invited to join the International Islamic Design Council, is so pleased with the success of her foray into the Australian fashion scene that she plans to return here next March to take part in the L'oreal Fashion Week. 

 

"I think Australia, with its growing Muslim population, is a good market for Islamic fashion," she said. 

 

SheikhaHub's next overseas fashion show will be in Qatar in November where jewellery, shoes and other fashion accessories will be included. It will also incorporate an art display.

 

Its second show in Malaysia will take place on Sept 21 in Kuala Lumpur. The first show was in June. 

 

Norzihan said SheikhaHub aspired to bring Islamic fashion to the forefront of the global fashion industry.

 

 

 -- BERNAMA