JIWA Kuala Lumpur 2.0 Design Brief

SoulStitch: Weaving Kuala Lumpur’s Essence into Sustainable Fashion

Hey there, creative souls! Are you ready to stitch the spirit of Kuala Lumpur into the very fabric of sustainable fashion? We’re launching a design duel where your mission, should you accept it, is to craft a stunning and kind collection for Mother Earth. 

Here’s the scoop for Fashion Design Category:

  • Whip up 6 sensational pieces – split evenly between womenswear and menswear.
  • Raid the closet, hit the unwanted clothing items, or find those zero-waste fabrics that are just begging for a second chance.
  • Let the JIWA (that’s ‘soul’ for our international friends) of Kuala Lumpur be your muse. Think vibrant street life, the hum of the city’s heritage, the diversity of its people, and the splendour of the city’s architecture.
  • This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about doing good. We’re talking sustainability, baby! Align your designs with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and show how fashion can save the world.
  • Get inventive with RRU methods (Reuse, Recycle, Upcycle) to spin old threads into new treasures.
  • From material selection to the final stitch, let your designs tell a story of conscious creation.
  • And because we’re not just about the catwalk, weave your brand’s marketing mojo into the mix to charm the eco-conscious consumer.

In slow fashion,  the loom, and patience  the thread. Artisans, with their tales woven into fabrics, are not mere makers; they are the custodians of a greener tomorrow, sewing hope into the very seams of society. In this sanctuary, designers and artisans converge, sharpening their skills for fashion that favours the planet. It’s an adventure of connection, growth, and crafting a world where style and sustainability coexist harmoniously.

So, are you in? If you are passionate about exploring sustainable fashion, let’s turn heads and turn the tide on fast fashion. It’s time to learn, design, dazzle, and make a difference with the Jiwa KL spirit collection.

Embark on a creative odyssey with us, where your visionary designs will echo the vibrant soul of Kuala Lumpur and champion a greener future. This is more than a design challenge; it’s a call to blend the rich tapestry of Malaysia’s heritage with sustainable innovation, creating meaningful, impactful, and stylish fashion. Join us in weaving a narrative of cultural celebration and environmental consciousness into every thread of your collection. Let’s make fashion what matters!

 

 

Entry is open to:

01.

Fashion Graduate

A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design.

02.

Fashion Micro-Small Medium Enterprise

A fashion business competes in niche markets for high-quality fashion products.

03.

Fashion Artisan

A skilled person crafts clothing and accessories with expert craftsmanship: shoes, hats, textiles, surfaces, embellishments, jewellery, and tailoring. 

Terms & Conditions

You may apply if you meet the following criteria:

The entry participation must be in one of the following categories:

  • Fashion graduate who completed a bachelor’s degree in fashion design education 
  • Fashion micro-small and medium enterprises must be registered with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia SSM 
  • Fashion artisan expertly crafts handmade clothing and accessories 

Open to Malaysian citizens aged 20 and above. 

Shortlisted finalists will each be given an exclusive RM25,000 integrated sustainability design and business masterclass program.

You may choose to answer the application form in Bahasa Melayu or English. 

A copy of the ID is to be submitted with the application by participants.

For entry, you must provide the following with your application:

         i. Select your category, answer the questions, and propose a design concept. (No design must be submitted at this early stage.)

        ii. To illustrate their abilities and knowledge in fashion design and craftsmanship, participants must submit images of their previous work’s original finished portfolio.

After submission, the MFCA team may contact candidates to inquire about more details, such as confirmation of eligibility, additional information, and relevant experience based on your chosen category.

The shortlisted candidates will attend an interview session with the selection committee.

The purpose of the interview session is to determine if you have the ability and dedication to make an ongoing commitment to developing your collection at a later stage. 

All candidates who make the cut must be present in Kuala Lumpur for the compulsory completion of the six-month mentoring masterclass.

The selected finalist must fulfil a full commitment to advance in the award completion process.

Failure to complete the required tasks given during the masterclass will result in the loss of the opportunity to progress further.

At the final gala, selected finalists will have the chance to display their collections while honouring the way creativity and sustainability meet.

MFCA will provide clothing materials for all selected finalists.

The application entry deadline is 22nd June 2025.

Any applications received after the call for entry deadline will not be accepted.

Participation in the design competition requires you to unconditionally accept MFCA’s “Terms and Conditions” mentioned on this website.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any moment without prior notice at the discretion of MFCA.

The participant shall constantly check the website and social media for updates, announcements, and the latest terms and conditions.

MFCA reserved the right to use the details provided by the contestants.

Applicants acknowledge their commitment to fulfilling all deadlines and requirements outlined by MFCA, with the understanding that submissions that are late or do not meet the specified criteria will not be accepted.

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