Selangor Fashion Accelerator programme opens up opportunities for entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Fashion Accelerator programme has opened up opportunities for entrepreneurs to promote digitalisation in the fashion industry as the world slowly becomes more tech-savvy.

Selangor Women's Welfare and Charity Organisation (PEKAWANIS) president Datin Seri Masdiana Muhamad, who is also the Selangor Menteri Besar's wife, said this year's "Modest fashion" theme is a huge step forward for the multi-billion dollar fashion industry, as it is putting the spotlight on fashion that isn't too revealing.

"Malaysia is one of the world's largest markets in the couture fashion space and is an inspiration to a number of designers who are pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion and reviving it," she said in her speech at the Selangor Fashion Accelerator Demo Day here yesterday.

Masdiana expressed hope that the Selangor state government could dignify the country's fashion landscape digitally by offering the essence of the workshop to increase brand recognition in the market and industry through this programme.

"This programme can help the local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises to build and develop their companies by testing their level of creativity and experiences with experienced fashion designers," she added.

Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) chief executive officer (CEO) Yong Kai Ping said developing a digitally savvy brand can no longer be viewed as building a distinct business but will become more and more essential to businesses.

"Digitalisation of the fashion industry is based on the change of the consumer's position where as of now purchasing clothing (only in physical stores) is (viewed as) less satisfying as digital technology has given them more power," he said in his speech.

Over 80 applicants applied for the two-month programme and 16 were shortlisted. The top six contestants competed in a business pitch to potential investors and industry partners yesterday.

Kalima Textile was crowned champion in the competition, winning a cash prize of RM6,000 and My Gaya Month showcase both worth RM10,000, while S.leapita and BatikTEKTURA came in second and third, respectively.

The husband-and-wife duo who run Kalima Textile expressed their gratitude for being given the opportunity to participate and hope to expand their brand in the retail sector especially in cities.

"We're looking not only locally in Malaysia but also at Indonesia, as they have a similar modest wear market, as well as the Middle East. We also want to produce more entrepreneurs through our tailoring and manufacturing," said Kalima Textile founder Tina Rashidee.

The competition was judged by Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd CEO Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim, singer-songwriter and entrepreneur Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, Malaysia Bumiputera Designer Association co-founder and president Rasta Rashid, ScaleUp Malaysia co-founder and general partner Aaron Sarma, AEON chief merchandising and marketing officer Low Ngai Yuen, VARIANT creative director Leslie Variyan, and Lagenda Creative Collection creative director Wong Lee Leng.

-- BERNAMA