Peugeot 408 Inspires Sustainable Fashion In KLFW Designer Search 2024 Contest
The recently concluded Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024 (KLFW 2024) had a special segment, “Design To Sustain”, which highlighted a blend of creativity and sustainability and ran alongside the 6th KLFW Designer Search.
This year’s competition wore the theme of “Capturing Allure” and saw the participation of 15 aspiring fashion designers who showcased their collection inspired by the sustainability cause and reusing materials. The finalists presented their designs, with each piece reflecting a creative vision that harmoniously blended sustainability with style through the use of upcycled fabrics. 
The competition theme was notably inspired by the elegance and sophistication of the all-new Peugeot 408. The collaboration between KLFW Designer Search and an automotive brand is a first and adds a unique dimension to the event.
“Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s a fundamental pillar for industries such as automotive and fashion to not only survive but thrive. Sustainability is a core value at Stellantis and for Peugeot and we are constantly seeking innovative ways to create products that are functional and sustainable. It’s about using high-quality, responsibly sourced materials, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create a lighter footprint on the environment,” said Jamie Francis Morais, Managing Director of Stellantis Malaysia. 
“Our goal is to build a future where mobility and the environment coexist harmoniously, and KL Fashion Week has been an incredible partner in this journey. And we are very excited to see how the alluring design and language of attraction of the 408 managed to inspire and play a role as a muse for these designers. Furthermore, what’s more important is creating a platform for these extraordinary talented designers whose designs have the power to inspire, to change perceptions, and to drive positive change,” he added.
The “Design to Sustain” contest workshop which was held on 16 June, challenged a total of 63 artists to submit 3 womenswear sketches inspired by the theme “Capturing Allure” and participate in a live fashion pitch. The top 15 finalists were then tasked with creating 2 looks each for the grand finale, incorporating upcycled materials from Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM), one of the country’s largest zero-waste textiles collectors.
Selecting the top 3 from these finalists were a panel of 7 judges i.e. KLFW Founder, Andrew Tan; Stellantis Malaysia Marketing Manager, E-Ling Cheah; Creative Director of Min Luna Creative Agency, Min Luna; Creative Director and Fashion Stylist, Andrea Wong; fashion critic, Kak Zai; as well as fashion designers Kit Woo and Syomirizwa Gupta. The standout designers were 18-year-old Mei Xuan Tieo with her collection “Ephemeral Reverie,” 25-year-old Raja Irfan with “Eternal Allure,” and 26-year-old Salahuddin Hilmi with “Rockstar”. These young talents captivated the audience and judges with their exceptional creativity, originality, and technical finesse.
As winners, they will have the exclusive opportunity to showcase their full collections at KLFW 2025 and the Lao Fashion Week: Zero Waste in October.
Each of the winners shared how the Peugeot 408 influenced their designs. Mei Xuan, a native of Kuala Lumpur, fused the car’s technology, aerodynamic lines, and sleek style with traditional Japanese culture, creating a collection that embodied the allure of post-war Geisha. Raja Irfan, from Klang, who makes use of structural design as his visual identity, was inspired by the car’s headlights and sculpted lines, incorporating these elements into his creations with corsets, belts, and exaggerated shoulder pieces. Meanwhile, Salahuddin Hilmi from Kedah channeled the ruggedness and mystery of the Peugeot 408’s headlights and silhouette into his “Rockstar” collection, using colours from the French flag to honour the brand’s heritage.
“This year’s Designer Search competition has once again elevated the bar for fashion in Malaysia. The talent showcased tonight reflects the burgeoning level of creativity, individuality and innovation thriving within our industry. By merging style with sustainability, these designers have demonstrated a forward-thinking approach that aligns perfectly with KLFW’s vision. At the same time, we are also fortunate to have a like-minded partner such as Peugeot who also place emphasis on sustainability. We look forward to seeing the winning collections take center stage at next year’s fashion week and anticipate the continued growth of these talented individuals,” commented Andrew Tan.
You can check out more photos of the winning fashion collections at Peugeot Malaysia’s official social media
channels on Instagram and Facebook.
