By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fashion Business Development Association (PEFEM) aims to create business pathways and unlock more economic opportunities for young people and emerging designers within the local fashion industry.
Its president Bkay Nair said the fashion industry encompasses a broad ecosystem and is not limited to modelling or designing. It includes various fields such as textiles, handicrafts, production, photography, styling, makeup, branding, retail and event management, she said.
“We want opportunities to span the entire ecosystem. Fashion needs to be seen as a money-making business. Creativity is important, but our priority is to turn it into economic value, income and more business opportunities,” she told Bernama after the REKA RONA 2026 fashion event at Kraftangan Malaysia here yesterday.
Bkay, who is also a model and actress, said PEFEM wants to equip young people, particularly vocational college students and members of the community, with an entrepreneurial mindset while they are still studying so that they can create business opportunities of their own.
“I want young people not only to ask, ‘What job can I get in the fashion industry?’ but also, ‘What opportunity can I create in the fashion industry?’” she said.
On yesterday’s REKA RONA 2026 event, Bkay said it provided 11 participants, comprising eight higher education institutions and three emerging designers, with an opportunity to gain exposure to the realities of the fashion industry.
The awards ceremony saw GIATMARA clinch the Young Talent Award and Best Overall Design Award, while Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) won the Creativity and Innovation Award.
Kolej Vokasional Sultan Abdul Samad, Banting, emerged as the winner of the Best Heritage Award, while Kolej Vokasional ERT Setapak took home the Best Contemporary Design Award.
To further strengthen the business development aspect, Bkay said works by the winners would also be exhibited at the National Textile Museum here for three months until the end of this year, providing opportunities to build business networks with investors, local buyers and international tourists.
She said while REKA RONA 2026 initially focused on business development and recognition, PEFEM aims to transform it into a strong commercial, retail and e-commerce platform in the future.
Bkay, who champions the ‘Malaysian First’ principle, said PEFEM’s priority is to elevate local heritage by educating young people about the richness of Malaysia’s textile traditions, including batik, songket, Pahang weaving, telepuk and many others.
“Preserving heritage alone is not enough. We need to explore how heritage, craftsmanship and creativity can generate demand, create income and ensure that this knowledge continues to evolve,” she said.
-- BERNAMA