This is the fifth time Gurney Paragon Mall has hosted a Penang Fashion Week, though for some reason the week has shrunk to a weekend this year, Friday May 3rd to Sunday May 5th. Regardless, the concept is a good one, to highlight the diversity and innovation of local fashion designers and to bridge the gap between Malaysian and international designers. 

The weekend begins with an opening gala on 3rd May 2019 at 7pm. Brands with outlets at Gurney Paragon, such as TUMI, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Charles & Keith, Pedro and Chow Tai Fook will be exhibit their products, and then there will be fashion showcases from Malaysian designers Samantha Chua and Bon Zainal, Kev Yiu from Hong Kong, and French designer Jonathan Liang.

On Saturday evening at 7pm, twelve other designers from Southeast Asia will hold a catwalk show. The designers are: Hayden Ng from Singapore, Sylvia Lim & Jennifer Neo with their Singaporean brand Triologie, Cambodian Natacha Van,  Lenny Agustin  from Indonesia, Bandid Lasavong’s Laotian brand MEN Folder, Malaysian Micheal Ooi’s brand MOFactory, Thai Pitnapat Yotinratanachai’s brand Pitnapat, Vietnamese Ho Thu Dang Thao’s Tsafari, Pat Santos from The Philippines, Fadzil Hadin from Brunei, Zin Myat Myat Win from Myanmar and Li Zhen’ s Chinese brand – The ZRSH. There will be a pop-up store within Gurney Paragon mall throughout the weekend where clothes from these designers will be available for purchase.

The full line-up of catwalk shows during the weekend is below:

Friday 3rd May 7pm Opening Gala

Saturday 4th May 11am Equator College, 1pm ecco, 3pm P.D.T accessories, 5pm Hush Puppies, 7pm ASEAN Showcase, 9pm Michael Ooi x Hero Tai

Sunday 5th May 11am ESMOD Kuala Lumpur, 1pm Keith Kee, 3pm Runway Designer Search (a competition for local fashion students), 5pm Lancaster Journey, 7pm Vinstella, 9pm Belle by Annabelle T

Some shows are by invitation only for the seated area in front of the catwalk, but don’t worry, even if you are not invited you can get a great view by going up the escalator to the floor above and watching over the balcony!