It sounded like a pipe dream: Kedah Fashion Week. Yes, in Kedah. That northwestern Malaysian state bordering Thailand that is more well-known for its paddy fields and the tourism island of Langkawi, rather than for fashion revolutions and haute couture creations. That did not, however, keep Ken Chin and Aman Central – the largest shopping mall in Kedah, from organising the first ever Kedah Fashion Week in 2016. Was it merely a marketing ploy? Perhaps. Ambitious? Definitely. But more importantly, Kedah Fashion Week became a launching pad for many local talents just starting out who went on to become respectable names in Malaysia’s fashion scene.

“Aman Central’s story is shaped by the dreams and spirit of the people who have walked through its doors,” said Grace Ho, Director of Belleview Group. “From the very beginning, we hoped to create a place where communities could come together, where culture and creativity would be celebrated, and where the heart of Alor Setar could beat stronger with each passing year. To see how far we have come, and to witness the pride this space now holds for the people of Kedah, is deeply meaningful for all of us.”

10 years of bringing local designers into the limelight

Now in its tenth year, Kedah Fashion Week is back, set for 1 to 3 August 2025, carrying the theme “Diamond”, symbolising the fashion franchise’s strength over the 10 years, as well as the brilliance and timeless beauty of the fashion designers and their creations. What began as a crazy idea is now a much-awaited event on the fashion calendar as Kedah Fashion Week evolves into a cultural movement that empowers local voices while reminding Malaysians that there is much creativity to be discovered in unexpected places such as Alor Star, the capital city of Kedah, where Aman Central mall is located – unexpected only because most people usually associate fashion in Malaysia with the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. We tend to forget that a big percentage of the population of KL is made up of transplants from other states, and so events like Kedah Fashion Week shouldn’t be that big of a surprise when it’s pulled off with much flair and flourish!

Highlighting Malaysian Designers At Kedah Fashion Week 2025

In these 10 years, many celebrated Malaysian designers and brands have shown at Kedah Fashion Week, increasingly making it an event that the country’s fashion enthusiasts look forward to, hoping to catch that first glimpse of future design royalty who might already be much sought after by their loyal fan base. This includes name such as Seth and Luna, Salleh Hamid and Hasfitri Yusuf – not household names yet but veritably the cream of the crop among the #ifyouknowyouknow fashion crowd.

This year, the impressive line-up at Kedah Fashion Week 2025 (get ready to follow them all on Instagram if you haven’t yet) includes:-

• Shanell Harun
• Seth and Luna
• Salleh Hamid
• Hasfitri Yusof
• Teddie Alrashed
• Naemah Khuntum
• Ikmal Mukmin
• Wan and Mary
• Fareez Axuan
• YT Lim
• Asyraf Arrif
• Taufik Idros
• Isyraf Arysi
• Hazizul Aziz
• Helmi Hamdan
• Ku Syafiq
• Liren Ho

Eleven emerging designers from Universiti Kuala Lumpur will also be showcasing their creations at Kedah Fashion Week – once again being a beacon of support and vision for undiscovered designers poised to take the nation by storm with their designs one day.

“Over the years, Kedah Fashion Week has grown from a simple idea into something that speaks to the heart of this community,” said Ken Chin. “Each collection is a reflection of stories shaped through time and experience. Like a diamond, this journey has been forged with resilience and vision. KFW 2025 will honour the progress we have made and celebrate the creative spirit that continues to evolve and inspire. It is deeply meaningful to witness how this platform has given so many talents a place to shine.”

A special Evolut10n showcase will mark the anniversary, while Aman Central’s retail partners, including HLA, New Era, Tomei, D’yana, Elrah Exclusive, Eco Optic, Babyshop, and Watsons, will present creative runway pieces that blur the lines between lifestyle and couture.