UCSI graduating designers showcase their talent at NEXT 2025, the University’s 18th annual graduation showcase.

Gloria Leow Jia Yuin’s collection captured the judges’ attention, earning her the Emerging Designer Award. Her bold use of colour reflected the courage and confidence of women pursuing the life they desire.

Kayla Anabelle Chandra is the third generation of fashion designers in her family, following her grandmother and aunt. Her studies at UCSI are expected to inject new vitality into the family’s fashion design business.

Eunice Tan Kai-Huey’s designs were inspired by nature, incorporating its textures, colours and rhythms of life into her creations.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gloria Leow Jia Yuin believes a fulfilling life demands bold choices.

With unapologetically bold red as the centrepiece of her latest runway collection, she demonstrates how breaking from safe conventions can lead to creative breakthroughs.

Her bold take on sartorial elegance saw her winning the Emerging Designer Award at NEXT 2025 - UCSI’s 18th annual graduation showcase.

“My design was inspired by a painting of a girl who bravely breaks the rules to pursue freedom, yet faces a tragic outcome,” Leow said.

“Through my work, I hope to encourage people to pursue the life they desire. Even in the face of uncertainty, we should follow our hearts and experience life fully.”

That theme of courage also shaped the collection of Best Collection Award (Degree) winner Kayla Anabelle Chandra, who credited her grandmother as her greatest influence.

“Though she never formally studied fashion, she founded her own fashion brand in Jakarta with courage, creativity and perseverance. She has always been an important role model for me.”

Her winning collection fused historical grandeur with modern minimalism, using eco-friendly fabrics, lace, ruffles and layered textures.

Organised by UCSI's Institute of Creative Arts and Design, the showcase featured 82 exquisite creations from 29 graduating designers that blended fashion with art, nature, empowerment and sustainability.

Nature came alive on the runway in the collection of Best Collection Award (Diploma) winner Eunice Tan Kai-Huey, whose designs celebrated its colours, textures and patterns.

“In today’s fast-paced world, we often forget that nature is one of the greatest masterpieces,” Tan shared. “From tree barks to parasitic plants and animal patterns, each is unique and full of vibrant colours.”

Guest of honour Seputeh MP YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim urged graduates to seize opportunities amid Malaysia’s coming Tourism Year, positioning distinctive local fashion to meet rising visitor demand.

“Tourists, especially female travellers, often seek out local fashion brands when travelling abroad.

Therefore, we should cater to this demand by introducing more designs that reflect national and cultural identity.

This not only revitalises the local fashion industry but also enhances tourists’ overall experience in Malaysia,” she said.

UCSI president and vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir lauded the students for transforming imagination into tangible art.

“The theme of the graduation showcase reflects more than just the elegant flow of fabric on the runway. It is a narrative of creativity, emotion and culture,” she said.

Themed Artistry in Motion, this year’s showcase brought together more than 400 attendees, including industry leaders, KOLs, fashion lovers and proud families.

UCSI is currently ranked #1 in Malaysia and #3 in Southeast Asia for Arts and Humanities in the 2025 QS World University Rankings broad subject rankings, with Art and Design placed in the top 150 globally.