Cover Alia Bastamam’s spring-summer 2025 show at Dubai Fashion Week 2024 (Photo: Alia Bastamam)
Alia Bastamam’s spring-summer 2025 show at Dubai Fashion Week 2024 (Photo: Alia Bastamam)
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Alia Bastamam closed the final curtain on her Odyssey trilogy with the full unveiling of Act III: Future at her debut Dubai Fashion Week show, concluding the series by marking yet another milestone
When Malaysian actress Scha Alyahya graced the 2022 Venice Film Festival red carpet and made waves in the global spotlight with her viral custom Alia Bastamam gown, we couldn’t be more ecstatic for the homegrown designer for finally receiving her well-deserved international recognition—but that was only the beginning.
Fast forward to September 2023, Bastamam made a momentous entrance into one of the “Big Four” fashion capitals at New York Fashion Week, where she unveiled Odyssey Act I: Past and Odyssey Act II: Present for her debut showcase. A preview of Act III: Future, the final chapter of her Odyssey trilogy, was later presented at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024, setting the stage for the full reveal at her inaugural show at Dubai Fashion Week earlier this month, concluding the series by marking yet another milestone.
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The Odyssey Act III: Future collection for spring-summer 2025 is, in essence, a sartorial manifestation of empowered renewal after a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that the designer has intricately woven throughout the previous acts. In Act III, the Alia Bastamam woman emerges as a fearless and enlightened figure who has navigated her past embraced her present, and is now ready to seize her future with confidence.
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This narrative was perfectly captured across 40 looks that pushed the boundaries of her creative potential whilst staying true to her brand DNA. We saw her signature airy silhouettes and draped pleats on the runway alongside pieces that were more experimental and avant-garde, with sculptural forms, beadwork, asymmetrical cuts, and tailoring that gave us a glimpse into Bastamam’s vision of what lies ahead.
Sheer fabrics pervade the collection, adding layers of intrigue and sensuality; not only a nod to her distinctive aesthetic but also serves as a metaphor for vulnerability and strength, alluding that true empowerment comes from finding the courage to express our authentic selves.
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Central to Bastamam’s pursuit of expanding her artistic range is an exploration of duality and fluidity, blending masculine and feminine elements to reflect the multifaceted nature of the modern woman, gracefully moving between strength and softness. Bomber jackets were reimagined with silky, billowy fabrics and a midriff-baring cut, flowy fabrics added a feminised touch to tailored trousers, paired with a halter neck top or corset, and structured tops were softened with skirts that danced like gentle waves with every movement.
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The accessories further enriched the narrative of renewal and resilience, courtesy of Aenro Studios, founded by Malaysian model and all-round brilliant creative Roanne Woo. Inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, Woo collects broken pieces of porcelain and turns them into one-of-a-kind wearable adornments, celebrating their imperfections and giving them new life.
Closing the show was the designer’s long-time friend and muse—the very embodiment of the Alia Bastamam woman—none other than Scha Alyahya, who appeared in an ethereal off-white corseted gown as the grand finale of the Odyssey series.
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Credits
Images: Alia Bastamam
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About
Phyll Wu is the Style Writer of Tatler Malaysia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she's an avid fashion geek who loves all things beauty, pop-culture, and film.
