VINTAGE DESIGNS: Fashion student Alice Er Bing Xin greeting the audience with models dressws in her Vintage Royalty-inspired collection during the Graduation Show cum Art Exhibition.

VIVID COLOURS: Student designer Tareneh Tadayon and her Ministure-themed collection, inspired by brightly coloured old Persian paintings.

EGYPTIAN ERA: Fashion student Yoo Ai Ling striking a pose for the camera with her models all decked up in her Fabulous Egypt collection during the Graduation Show cum Art Exhibition.

LAYERED TEXTURES: A model wearing fashion student Teh Boon Jean's head accessory and architecture inspired gown during the Graduation Show cum Art Exhibition.

PROUD MOMENT: Fashion student Teh Boon Jeangreeting the audience with her models in tow during the Graduation Show cum Art Exhibition.

IN STYLE:Models wearing fashion student Teh Boon Jean's architecture themed designs at the runway during the Graduation Show cum Art Exhibition

GROUP PORTRAIT

GROUP PORTRAIT

FUN YET INFORMATIONAL: Kevin Foong, Creative Director of GXM Sdn Bhd., engaging the students and other members of the audience in an interactive 3D Animation session.

Kuala Lumpur, 13^th September, 2012  - Hosted by UCSI University, De Institute of Art & Design (DIAND)'s first graduation fashion show cum art exhibition was an evening like no other – allowing the crowd a sneak peek into the glitz and glamour of the fashion sphere.

Earlier in the day, a separate session for DIAND's 3D Animation students was held, where they presented their artwork to a diverse audience comprising industry practitioners, parents and lecturers, among others.

Themed "Born with Style", the collaborative final year project by the University's Fashion Design and 3D Animation students was the ideal platform for the young talents to showcase their innovative designs to prominent industry leaders such as Baizura Tazri, YODA Founder and President, Kevin Foong, Creative Director of GXM Sdn. Bhd. and Steven Lim, Executive Producer of Young Jump, to name a few.

In essence, the evening was a burst of upbeat student performances, lively music and vibrant fashion styles – from vintage to avant-garde designs – worn by stunning models who sashayed up and down the runway.

"It is exciting to see our first group of final year students showcasing their work. I know that both staff and students alike have worked hard to make this a special day," said Associate Professor Dr Irene Tan, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts (FOSSLA).

Numerous awards – namely, Best Fashion Design Collection, Best 3D Animation Project and Best Fashion Design Student, among others – were also presented to bright students whose designs stood out from their peers.

"I can see a lot of (student) potential in this showcase. (After much consideration), we selected fashion student Teh Boon Jean," said Baizura Tazri, YODA Founder and President.

"I love the detailing and the fabric quality (of her collection), and I am certain that she can go far in this industry," she elaborated.

Boon Jean will also be involved in the Malaysia International Fashion Week this year, Baizura added, and we hope to see more of her in the industry.

Kevin Foong, Creative Director of GXM Sdn. Bhd., was also quick to heap effusive praise for FOSSLA's 3D Animation students.

"The most remarkable thing that I noticed is that the students' work quality is very well-balanced. I have attended similar shows and, at most, only a small percentage of students are really talented while the rest fall a bit short," said Kevin.

However, the students here are very all-rounded, he elucidated, in terms of managing their story, camera angles and technicalities.

"It caught me by surprise – I was very impressed."

Officiated by Professor Emeritus Dr. Lim Koon Ong, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs & Research) of the University, the event was a representation of the students' exemplary commitment and dedication to design excellence.