MODA’s Next Wave Puts Malaysia’s Emerging Fashion Talent in the Spotlight
Ten young designers. Ten hair artists. One runway bringing fashion and hairstyling together. MODA’s latest FASHION IN MOTION showcase is giving Malaysia’s next generation of creatives more than just a moment in the spotlight.
Fashion is never just about the clothes. There is the hair, the makeup, the styling, the attitude and, of course, the creative minds behind every look. At Pavilion Bukit Jalil on 7 October 2026, the Malaysia Official Designers Association (MODA) brought all these elements together for Next Wave, the second chapter of its month-long FASHION IN MOTION festival.
Following the launch of Chapter Next at Pavilion Damansara Heights on 1 October, Next Wave shifted the focus towards emerging talent, pairing 10 young fashion designers with 10 FIOLE hair artists to create looks that brought fashion design and hair artistry into one cohesive vision. Think less about a garment simply making its way down the runway and more about an entire creative concept coming to life.
For MODA, the showcase was also a continuation of its efforts to create meaningful opportunities for young Malaysian designers to develop their craft, connect with industry professionals and take their first steps towards a career in fashion.
From Raw Talent to Runway-Ready
The idea behind Next Wave began at MODA’s Elevation event last year, where design students were given the opportunity to showcase their work on stage. The talent was there. MODA simply wanted to give it a bigger platform.
“The idea for Next Wave started last year at our Elevation event, where we gave design students a platform on our stage,” said Cyrus Chin, President of MODA. “We saw so much raw talent that this year, we wanted to go bigger, connecting young designers with our experienced MODA mentors.”
Getting to the final 10 was no small feat. Following nationwide submissions, MODA shortlisted the participants to a Top 30 before narrowing the selection to a Top 20. Each finalist was then paired with a MODA mentor, including Ariff Shukor, Ellie Lim, Fairuz Ramdan, Jimmy Wong and Justin Yap, who helped guide the young designers as they developed their ideas into runway presentations.
But the challenge did not end with the clothes. In a collaboration that brought two creative disciplines together, the Top 10 fashion finalists were paired with the Top 10 FIOLE hair artists. Each duo had to create a complete look, combining garment design, hairstyling and visual storytelling into a single presentation.
“It is about bringing fashion design and hair artistry together, two art forms that go hand in hand on the runway,” Chin explained. “The result speaks for itself, and I am truly proud of the outcome.”
The partnership also highlighted an important part of the fashion industry that can sometimes get lost behind the finished look: the collaboration required to make a creative vision work. A well-designed outfit might command attention, but the right hairstyle can change its entire mood. Together, they can tell a much bigger story.
Two Judging Panels, One Creative Vision
With fashion and hair artistry sharing the same stage, Next Wave brought together two judging panels to evaluate the finalists' work.
The fashion panel featured industry professionals and MODA members, including fashion stylist and advisor Zaihani Mohd Zain, fashion stylist Andrea Wong, Variente Creative Director Leslie Variyan, fashion icon Gillian Hung, and hairstylist and Albert Nico Boutique Salon founder Albert Nico.
The competition also recognised the different disciplines involved, with prizes structured around the contributions of both the fashion designers and hair artists. MODA awarded cash prizes, internships and memberships to the fashion students, while R Beauté presented professional products and recognition to the participating hairstylists.
Dinna Loh emerged as the Next Wave Champion, while Pei Yi received the award for Best Overall Look.
Beyond the titles, the showcase gave participants the opportunity to put their work in front of industry figures, build professional connections and experience what happens when their ideas are tested outside the classroom.
Fashion Is a Team Sport
MODA's FASHION IN MOTION festival is built around three core pillars: Elevate. Evolve. Empower. Together, they reflect the association's commitment to helping designers refine their skills, adapt to an evolving industry and grow alongside the wider creative community.
And that community extends well beyond the designer's studio.
“Fashion is not only a finished garment or a moment on the runway,” said Chin. “It is part of a wider creative ecosystem, shaped by designers, textile makers, artisans, stylists, hair and makeup artists, photographers, producers, retailers and audiences. When these individuals come together, we create more than a fashion show. We open pathways for talent discovery, build links across industries, and help creative businesses grow.”
It is a reminder that fashion rarely happens in isolation. Behind every collection is a network of people whose individual skills contribute to the final picture. By bringing emerging designers together with established mentors and professionals from other creative fields, Next Wave gives that network room to grow.
The festival's broader approach also takes local fashion beyond traditional runway venues and into the public spaces of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Pavilion Damansara Heights and Pavilion Bukit Jalil. The idea is to make Malaysian fashion more accessible, giving designers greater visibility while allowing shoppers and visitors to discover local creativity as part of their everyday mall experience.
The Fashion Calendar Isn't Slowing Down
Next Wave is just one stop in a packed October programme, with FASHION IN MOTION continuing to combine fashion, culture, community and retail experiences across the three Pavilion destinations.
On 10 October, Unstoppable Pink will support the Pink Unity ladies under the National Cancer Society Malaysia. The initiative includes a public walk from Pavilion Damansara Heights, travelling by MRT through Bukit Bintang before reaching Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, alongside a charity haircut supported by R Beauté.
Throughout October, Maria Nila, one of R Beauté's brands, will also offer special pink umbrellas across the Pavilion malls in exchange for donations, with part of the proceeds going to the Pink Unity Foundation.
The festival then turns towards the cultural significance of traditional attire with Reimagined Saree Runway on 22 October at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Inspired by the saree's colours, intricate details and heritage, the showcase will feature 25 designers, including five emerging talents, as part of the Deepavali season.
For those who prefer their fashion with a little shopping, food and music on the side, the Style Your Way Lifestyle Market will take over Pavilion Bukit Jalil from 23 to 25 October. More than 50 booths will bring together fashion, food and music, creating a space for designers, vendors and creative businesses to connect directly with the public.
The month-long celebration will conclude with the FASHION IN MOTION Finale Party at The Arena, Pavilion Damansara Heights, bringing together the designers, partners, creatives and communities who helped make the festival happen.
Putting Malaysian Creativity on the Map
FASHION IN MOTION is made possible through MODA's collaboration with Pavilion, which provides the platform across its three destinations, alongside FIOLE and R Beauté's partnership on Next Wave.
The festival's supporting partners include Shu Uemura and MONTIBELLO for hair and makeup, La Boca for food and beverages, Instax Fujifilm for photography, Bravo Events for production, Click Click Studios for photo and video production, and Swissaire, which supported the Chapter Next event.
At its core, FASHION IN MOTION is about creating more opportunities for Malaysian designers to be seen, heard and taken seriously. Next Wave takes that ambition a step further by showing what can happen when emerging talent is given access to mentorship, professional collaboration and a platform to experiment.
Because the future of Malaysian fashion will not be shaped by designers alone. It will be built by the people who challenge ideas, share their expertise and make room for the next generation to find its voice.
And with more showcases, markets and community initiatives still on the calendar, MODA's message is clear: local fashion deserves a bigger stage, and the next wave is already making its entrance.
FASHION IN MOTION continues throughout October at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Pavilion Damansara Heights and Pavilion Bukit Jalil. For programme schedules, mall activations and updates, follow MODA Malaysia on Instagram at @modamalaysia.
