Aussies turn up the heat in Kuala Lumpur

A contingent of more than 20 Australian designers, buyers and media is set to descend on Malaysia for the staging of the second annual Kuala Lumpur-Asia Fashion Week (KLAFW).
The group, led by TCFWA manager Carol Hanlon, join more than 80 designers from 17 countries in the region, including Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Brunei and Sri Lanka, in showcasing at the show, staged from November 23 to 27.
Designers including Alvin Fernandez (of Aelkmi), Rebecca Patterson (Breathless), Roderick Ng and Eleni Kondos (Master & Slave), Ivan Gomes (from Vicious Threads) and Nicola Finetti, join buyers such as Maria Short from More and international fashion agent Margaret Farrell from Suki Moo in making the journey.
The tab for many of the tight knit group of Australians attending the event is being Hanlon, who is almost single-handedly responsible for putting together the delegation, said KLAFW was an emerging market that offers independent designers a fantastic opportunity to put both themselves and their labels on the map.
"Traditionally, Asia has had a very strong designer/consumer appetite. But it is now becoming much more aware of independent designers. Fortunately that is the strength of the Australian market, which is predominantly small business. It really is a whole new emerging market for Australian designers, who predominantly look to the UK, Europe and the US first."