Malaysian Heroes- New Uniform For The Malaysian National Sports Team Designed By Melinda Looi And To Be Debuted At 2014 Commonwealth Games
Malaysian athletes will be "showing their stripes" at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in stylish apparel designed by multi-award winning fashion designer Melinda Looi.
- (1888PressRelease) July 01, 2014 - Kuala Lumpur - Melinda Looi, who is renowned for her elaborate Couture and ready-to-wear fashion collections locally and internationally, was engaged by the Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia (Kementerian Belia dan Sukan, or KBS) to add her signature design flair to the local athletes' formal and sports attire, which will be debuted at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on 23 July.
"I refer to our athletes as 'Malaysian Heroes'. They are modern day warriors - dedicated individuals who train hard every day so they can represent our country on the global arena. I am impressed by their hard work and discipline, and also the pressure they overcome on a daily basis. They made me feel so proud to be Malaysian, and so honoured to dress them in my creations. As such, I dedicated the collection to them by naming it 'Malaysian Heroes'," said the designer.
The 'Malaysian Heroes' collection was inspired by tigers, the national animal of Malaysia. Tigers are featured on the country's coat of arms as symbols of courage and strength. The unique characteristics of this feline muse are translated into two bold and vibrant prints which are then applied to the collection, which includes of a set of formal attire to be worn during the opening ceremony, or March Pass, and an athlete's kit consisting of one track suit, two polo tees, two v-neck tees, a cap, and a trolley bag.
The March Pass uniforms uniquely combines the colours of a tiger's coat with motifs commonly found in traditional Malaysian woven fabric known as songket. This fashion-forward print with an ethnic twist will adorn cultural costumes that will be worn by athletes for the opening ceremony parade, namely the sampin (a sarong-like cloth tied around the waist during formal occasions) for men's baju Melayu (traditional Malay men's attire), and selendang (a long rectangular shawl) draped over the shoulders with women's Baju Kurung (traditional Malay women's attire).
A modern and sporty set of stripes in gradient shades of orange and black are used throughout prominently on the athletes' sports apparel, running across the torso as a symbol of the wearers' power and energy.
"Tigers are majestic, strong, and powerful creatures. I want our athletes to feel that way when they wear their kit," Looi said. The men will be dressed in Baju Melayu, Sampin, and Songkok, while the women will wear Baju Kurung, Selendang, and Tudung.
Spectators can expect to see Melinda Looi's designs on Malaysian athletes throughout the Commonwealth games from 23 July to 3 August 2014. The kit will also be worn at The 2014 Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, the largest sporting event in Asia governed by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). It is scheduled to take place in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 - October 4, 2014.
For further information or any other enquiries please contact:
Ms. Yuri Lye (Marketing Manager)
Tel: 603-2093 2279
Fax: +603-2201 2099
E-mail: press ( @ ) melindalooi dot com
ABOUT MELINDA LOOI
Melinda Looi started her journey on a scholarship at the La Salle School of Fashion in Montreal, Canada. It was her graduation collection in 1995 that catapulted her into the spotlight, earning her the Malaysia Young Designer Award 1995 in Kuala Lumpur.
Melinda has also been involved in various stage productions in Malaysia, as well as the television and film industry in Canada. She has consistently proven her ability and creativity through many awards locally and internationally, especially the prestigious Designer of the Year Award, in 2004 and 2006 at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards, and once again in 2009 at the Mercedes Benz STYLO Fashion Awards.
Melinda's latest accolades include the nomination for Fashion Designer of the Year at the 3DPS Awards 2013 in London, UK. She will also be presenting Malaysia at the World Fashion Awards and World Fashion Week to be held in Paris in 2014/2015 as well as showcasing one of her couture creations as part of World Fashion Exhibition, at various international fashion weeks.
Today, Melinda Looi has four distinct brands to her name, which are: Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Ivory (the designer's eponymous made-to-measure bridal collection), Melinda Looi Prκt-ΰ-Porter, and MELL Basics, a range of organic cotton basics.
Besides working on her own fashion labels, Melinda is also involved in numerous and very diverse collaborations reaching from charities and eco-friendly events to art projects, as well as collaborations with international brands and corporates such as L'Orιal , Levi's, Nando's, and many others.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Nominated for Fashion Designer of the Year at 3DPS Awards 2013, London
Winner of "Great Women of Our Time" Awards 2013 (Design & Style category) by The Malaysian Women's Weekly
First 3D Print Fashion Show in Asia, 2013, Kuala Lumpur
Designer of the Year 2009, Mercedes Benz STYLO Fashion Awards, Kuala Lumpur
Designer of the Year 2006, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
Designer of the Year 2004, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
Most Dynamic Designer 2003, MIFA, Kuala Lumpur
Asia Pacifica Young Designer Award 2000, Hong Kong
Winter Wedding Dress Contest 1997, Canada
White Creation Award 1997, Canada
ASEAN Designer Award 1995, Singapore
Cotton Award 1995, Japan
Malaysia Young Designer Award 1995, Kuala Lumpur
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