It's late and I have a job to go back to tomorrow. Altogether, it's been a pretty hectic 5 days, rushing either from work on Thurs and Fri for gala runway shows, and on Sat, I had to pick up my sorry ass and rush for the last day show at Avenue K before the gala event at night, featuring 6 most prominent Malaysian designers on the runway. I'll talk more about these in days to come. What I can say about the night events are, most of the celebrities are just like any person, most probably forgettable if not for their haute couture and stylish dressing, and professionally done make-up, and for the models, their very long legs (I actually have friends and relations with long legs, just that they don't tend to flaunt them as much :P). At least to me. They might be memorable to the next person dying to be part of the crowd. I have to say that point and shoot digital cameras are real social equalisers. You see celebrities and fashionistas acting just like anyone else, excitedly taking pictures of themselves and with each other. Lots of smooching and air-kissing. With my 5-minute make-up, and newly bobbed hair, I do feel under-dressed though not particularly disturbed by that.
The shows for the MIFA night were interesting, as they feature up and coming designers though my favourite show was still the one on Sat night. That's because I feel that most of the clothes featured on the MIFA night, with the exception of a few, lack charisma. They are interesting, but not fantasy-evoking. Anyhow, I am a t-shirt and shorts, and pret-a-porter person (I like the eclectic mix and match), so unless absolutely required (or if someone wants to sponsor it), I won't be wearing haute couture, or evening gowns. Besides, these kind of clothes are only tenable if you have a huge chauffeured car that does not require you to step on the muddy and wet roads (especially during this monsoon season in Malaysia), or walking further than the entrance of some posh building.
As with most industries in Malaysia, fashion is pretty incestuous since we only have a small cache of players. Of course, the patrons tend to be the women-who-lunch and their coterie. You see a number of them, though not all (since only those intimately connected are allowed the honour of attending MIFA 2005 due to the limitation of seats), at industry awards, especially that related to something as glamarous as fashion. You will see them, I suppose you can call them the Tatler set, at launches for jewelry, timepieces, wines and all things that speak of fine living. They can afford all the time and money.
I was privileged to attend a workshop aimed at professional designers and I learnt a thing of two on the history and culture of fashion, trends and the business of fashion designing. Will be writing about this later for publication. If you are interested, just pop me a comment here.
P.S. Need I mention about a particular runway show on Saturday where a designer specialising on men's wear had some hot and sexy male models on the runway. You can practically see some of them well-dressed middle-aged women seating in front (them VIPs) salivating. No matter that these men are young enough to be their sons. :D
