Cover A six-month programme organised and supported by the Ministry of Finance, and implemented by Think City through the Downtown Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme, KFI aims to strengthen the capabilities of emerging fashion talents, brands and collectives. (Photo: Kain Fashion Incubator)
A six-month programme organised and supported by the Ministry of Finance, and implemented by Think City through the Downtown Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme, KFI aims to strengthen the capabilities of emerging fashion talents, brands and collectives. (Photo: Kain Fashion Incubator)
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The six-month programme supports Malaysia's emerging fashion designers with industry mentorship, RM5,000 production grants and a showcase at KL Festival 2027
Malaysia has the creative talent to make its mark in fashion, but turning a good idea into a thriving label takes more than a strong design vision. Behind every collection are the realities of running a business, from securing funding and managing production to building the right industry connections. For emerging designers, having the talent is one thing; having the resources and support to grow is another.
This is where Kain Fashion Incubator (KFI) comes in. A six-month programme organised and supported by the Ministry of Finance, and implemented by Think City through the Downtown Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme, KFI aims to strengthen the capabilities of emerging fashion talents, brands and collectives. By bringing together public-sector support and industry expertise, the initiative hopes to create more opportunities for local practitioners while encouraging greater private-sector participation in the growth of Downtown Kuala Lumpur.
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The programme will be led by Seah Shao Fen, KFI Project Manager and founder of her eponymous fashion label, SHAOFEN. With experience spanning design, retail and education, she brings both creative and commercial perspectives to the initiative.
She will be joined by industry mentors including familiar names such as Andrew Tan of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Aisha Hassan of Dia Guild, David Han of Ghostboy and Zaihani Mohd Zain, better known as Kak Zai. Together, they will share their experience and offer guidance on the creative and business considerations involved in building a fashion label.
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For Aisha Hassan, joining the initiative was an opportunity to contribute to a more structured support system for emerging designers.
Malaysia is full of innovative creators and aspiring designers bursting with ambition, but it's often difficult to find the right resources or guidance to turn their vision into a reality.
Through her work at Dia Guild, which champions independent creators and emerging talent, she sees the value in bringing different players from the industry together. She adds that KFI offers a combination of mentorship, grant support and exposure opportunities, giving participants access to resources that may otherwise be difficult to find independently. For her, the opportunity to see how these designers develop and contribute to Malaysia's fashion and design landscape in the years ahead is just as exciting.
Above Aisha Hassan holds the Pubumesu, a creation by her brand, Dia Guild
Aisha Hassan holds the Pubumesu, a creation by her brand, Dia Guild
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There is also a bigger conversation to be had about the state of the local fashion industry. Having witnessed its development over more than 50 years, Kak Zai believes there is still considerable room for progress, particularly when it comes to establishing a stronger fashion ecosystem.
After witnessing the local fashion scene for the past 50-plus years, it's very depressing to see not much has evolved or progressed. I really want to see the fashion ecosystem in place and running once and for all.
For her, KFI comes at a timely moment. Beyond nurturing individual designers, she hopes the initiative will encourage the industry to take fashion more seriously and give it the recognition it deserves. "I believe the future of Malaysian fashion is now."
Of course, having the right guidance is only one part of the equation. Each selected participant will also receive a RM5,000 production grant to develop a capsule collection, allowing them to put what they have learnt into practice and bring their ideas to life. The programme will culminate in a public showcase at Semua House, in conjunction with KL Festival 2027, where participants can present their collections to a wider audience.
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For David Han of Ghostboy, one of the most rewarding aspects of supporting emerging designers is seeing them discover their own creative identities.
It's so special to watch young local designers find their voice and footing. Their work reminds us of why we started in the first place, to make room for new ideas and to be brave enough to share them.
Above David Han of Ghostboy
David Han of Ghostboy
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More than a platform for new collections, KFI is an opportunity to build stronger foundations for the local fashion industry, from the people developing new ideas to the businesses that will help sustain them. With its final showcase set to take place at Semua House, the programme also brings that ambition back to Downtown Kuala Lumpur, connecting the next generation of fashion practitioners with the city's wider creative landscape.
Applications for Kain Fashion Incubator closes on November 20 2026.
Aliya Qarina is the Junior Style Writer at Tatler Malaysia with an interest in fashion and beauty. Her writing often focuses on contemporary style, beauty culture and emerging trends.
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