Starhill Gallery Ushers New Season with Starhill Gallery Fashion Week 2015

Before there was Suria KLCC and Pavilion, Starhill used to be one of the swankiest spots in town for fashionistas with rolls of fresh, crisp RM100 notes stashed in their  polished crocodile skin Birkins to shop. 

The other high fashion hotspots that used to be frequented by well-heeled shoppers were Hilton KL Shopping Arcade (now defunct and demolished Mutiara Kuala Lumpur hotel), City Square and Lot 10. 

While our shopping scene in the 8os and 90s was on par with the already established likes of Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, these malls provided well-deserved respite to local fashionistas who do not have ample time to hop on a first class flight for the sake of having a decent shopping spree along the Rodeo Drive or Champs-Elysees. 

Starhill, for instance, housed an array of top-notch designer boutiques such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Kenzo, Prada, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and more.

Even after the arrival of luxury malls such as Suria KLCC, Pavilion and The Gardens Mid Valley, brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Kenzo have remained faithful tenants with their presence within the mall spanning more than 20 years.

Today, many celebrated jewellers and watchmakers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Garrard and Bedat & Co. are calling the mall their exclusive home in Malaysia.

Recently, cementing its position as an inevitable upscale fashion paradise, Starhill welcomes the advent of a new season with its Starhill Gallery Fashion Week 15. 

Doused in glitter and glamour, the four-day event which started on Wednesday and ended on Sunday featured a spectacle brimming with pure indulgence and haute fashion. 

“Starhill Gallery’s portfolio of the best fashion brands is constantly growing and we are proud to be able to offer such a variety of choice and deliver exclusive experiences like Starhill Gallery Fashion Week,” said Vice President of YTL Land & Development Bhd, YTL Hotels and Properties, Joseph Yeoh. 

Served with free-flowing supply of champagne from G.H. Mumm and cocktails concocted using Absolut Vodka and scrumptious finger foods as well as delectable array of sushi, guests were treated to a runway presentation featuring the season’s hot looks by notable brands under Niche Retailing portfolio such as Valentino, M Missoni, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Sergio Rossi and Kenzo, followed by renowned designer labels such as Khoon Hooi, iKartini and Mita Tam Style Studio. 

For spring/summer, the creative minds behind Parisian label Kenzo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim takes its fans to a journey back in time with sixties-influenced silhouettes and airy fabrics, while playful nuances  ruled its menswear line. 

Alexander McQueen’s diffusion line McQ combined the best of British street culture with iotas of spare elegance and youthful playfulness, all intertwined with technological rigour and precise approach.

Jamaican way of living, on the other hand, inspired M Missoni to churn out a collection colourful prints in Missoni's hallmarked style while Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli appliqued poems and worked with a palette of pure elemental colours in Valentino’s ready-to-wear and accessories collection. 

Inspired by poetry, Khoon Hooi married the spring elements of hummingbirds, flowers and pastel colours derived from the sky with gamine French silhouettes, fringes and lush embroideries. 

The beautiful juxtaposition of elements and fabrics resulted a stunning spring/summer ready-to-wear collection by the Malaysian designer. 

Batik purveyor iKartini alludes the beauty of Malaysia in its traditional-meets-contemporary ready-to-wear collection while Mita Tam Style Studio, a new addition to Starhill’s growing fashion portfolio exhibited light patterns and colourful florals, suitable for both casual and formal occasions. 

Additional highlights of the event include luxurious pop-up carts; exquisite chocolate sampling by the luxurious Armani Dolci whilst Fragrance du Bois’ interactive display of the world's rarest elixirs proved extremely popular and BMIC Nail Spa Salon provided a complimentary nail service which included a hand massage, manicure and nail art design. 

*Photos courtesy of Starhill Gallery 

Starhill Gallery – 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur