Founded the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) and introduced Ready-To-Wear to the Malaysia retail market in 2013 which changes and accelerates the entire landscape of the Malaysia fashion industry.
Andrew Tan constantly gives pivotal advice and consultation to homegrown designers out of his goodwill in order to help them to be digitally-equipped by conducting the business of fashion talk or challenging the designers to explore and experiment with their design aesthetics.
The remark that Andrew made for the homegrown fashion industry is being further acknowledged when he was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet and greet the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton as part of the British Commonwealth Fashion Council representing Malaysia in 2018.
As the trend of diversity and inclusivity on the rise, Tan introduced Fashion Forward Batik Malaysia, an elevated initiative by KLFW to up-scale Malaysian Batik by gathering Malaysian batik textile makers and batik enthusiasts from the entire nation, celebrate Batik together as a whole, allowing all forms of Batik to be a part of this mission.
With the ascending lifestyle of zero-waste living, Tan decided to speak up for sustainability by forming a program – Design to Sustain. An initiative to express its support towards sustainable and ethical fashion while aligning with its partners namely AirAsia, Commonwealth Fashion Council of UK, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Due to his sharp instincts and creative nature, it has allowed him to excel quickly and be recognized as the icon of the Malaysia Fashion Industry.
Aside from helping designers to grow, Tan eagerly takes industry partners together in this fashion-forward journey, shaping the future of the Malaysia fashion and lifestyle industry.
What’s your sincere comment on KLFashionWeek 2025?
It’s amazing — exactly in line with our tagline “Bigger and Bolder.” In fact, it’s so on point that other fashion weeks are already trying to borrow the line.
What about the guests who showed up during the shows?
Truly diverse — every shape, size, background, and demographic was represented. That’s what fashion week should be: something inclusive, something that excites everyone.
Where do you position KLFW compared to international fashion weeks elsewhere in the world?
Of course, we’re not Paris, Milan, New York, or Tokyo yet — those cities have fashion weeks that date back to:
• Paris (1910s–40s evolution, cemented post-WWII)
• Milan (officially 1958)
• New York (1943, the very first “fashion week” format)
• Tokyo (mid-1980s, though Japanese designers were already shaking Paris by the 70s).
But Malaysia is catching up very quickly. Not only in Southeast Asia, but in Asia overall, KLFW is positioning itself as a serious platform for regional designers.
Some guests complain many outfits aren’t suitable for women wearing tudung, yet nearly 70% of Malay women (including high-profile ones) do wear tudung. Why are there almost no headscarves on your runways?
We respect our designers’ creative freedom — it’s their vision, and their customers come to support that vision. Fashion Week is a showcase of diversity. Some look sexy, some don’t; if someone wants to adapt a look to be more modest, they’ll restyle it accordingly. The key is variety: fashion week is not meant to cater to one group only — it’s a space where different aesthetics can coexist.
Where do you see Malaysian designers in five years?
They’re all learning how to scale. Scaling is costly, and if you expand too quickly, you risk collapse. The smart ones are moving carefully — investing in sustainable growth, building the right partnerships, and preparing for bigger markets beyond Malaysia.
Who stood out as the most dynamic and professional during the shows?
I won’t name names, but it was clear who had done their homework — the ones who came prepared, elevated their collections, and carried themselves with class. Those are the designers who will go far. And yes, some did not make the cut and won’t be returning.
Apart from modeling, what careers should models pursue to better their income since fashion shows in Malaysia are limited?
We’re not Paris, Milan, or New York — where work flows year-round with castings, catalogues, and fittings. In Malaysia, modeling is usually part-time. The best models combine it with other careers that fit their skill set. I know a fantastic model who also works as a freelance accountant — her flexibility allows her to work from anywhere while still modeling. That’s the kind of adaptability that works here.
Today’s generation isn’t into big brands or expensive items. They prefer simple, comfortable clothing. Please comment.
That’s Gen Z’s “unbothered chic.” It grew out of the pandemic — years of studying online, working remote, staying indoors. Comfort became the style. But like all looks, it evolves. The lockdown aesthetic is already fading. As we move further away from that era, new expressions will replace it — fashion always shifts.
