Malaysian International Fashion Alliance: The name ‘mifa’ is synonymous to fashion week. In fact, the fashion community is so familiar with it that many don’t even realise it stands for Malaysian International Fashion Alliance! Founded in 1995 by Syeba Yip, the company started as a fashion event specialist, making a name for itself organising mega events such as L’Oreal Color Trophy. In 2003, it organised the first M-IFA Gala as a precursor to M-IFW, and hasn’t looked back since. mifa’s expertise is in conceptualising, organising, managing and marketing major fashion and lifestyle events and programmes. M-IFW is its main showcase event.

Heah Sieu Lay, Chairman: Corporate figure Heah Sieu Lay took on the Chairman’s role in mifa in 2007, injecting greater business savvy into fashion week with his vast corporate experience. Mr. Heah was previously the Managing Director of RHB Sakura Merchant Bankers Berhad (now known as RHB Investment Bank Berhad). He is a Director of Lion Diversified Holdings Berhad and Lion Industries Corporation Berhad as well as the franchise holder of the Miss Malaysia/Universe pageant. Read more about Mr. Heah here. (Link to Mr. Heah’s interview in style KL)

Syeba Yip, Founder/CEO: Indefatigable and passionate to a fault about all things fashion, Syeba Yip is the unofficial crusader and champion of the Malaysian fashion industry. Her goal is to introduce Malaysia’s fashion talents to the rest of the world through fashion trade and tourism. Read more about Syeba Yip

Malaysia International Fashion Week: The definitive fashion event in Malaysia, M-IFW provides the platform for established and up-and-coming designers in the country to showcase their work to buyers, public and media. A combined trade and public event, it was conceptualised in 2004 to champion the professional development of the fashion industry and individual designers. In recent years, M-IFW has also become an avenue for South East Asian and Asian designers to show their collections.

Malaysia International Fashion Gala: Affectionately known as the Oscars of the fashion industry, M-IFA Gala honours the achievements of the fashion community.

 Style Council: Each year’s M-IFW is organised under the advise of a Style Council comprising figures from government, corporate, high society, media and fashion. It is led by Advisor Dato’ Farah Khan, Founder and President of The Melium Group.

  1. Promote the fashion industry by providing platforms for Malaysian designers to showcase their work locally and internationally.
  2. Provide support for designers to build their brand and business to be on par with global standards.
  3. Develop fashion tourism and trade in Malaysia into key economic contributors.

Our vision is to make Malaysia the hub of the Asian fashion industry by developing international quality fashion design and entrepreneurship in the country.

What this simply means is that mifa wants Malaysia to be the key stop for international buyers and media who are interested in Asian labels – much like the way the world descends on Milan during Milan Fashion Week.