Above: Ode to Liberty's styling tips. Lookbook on nudes. Features Sze's Gladiator necklace. Designed and handmade by Sze.
Above: Ode to Liberty's Hard Candy Lookbook. Screams vixen! Features Sze's Black Cosmo necklace. Handmade and designed by Sze when voted for the Martell Rising Personalities Award.
How many times do you see these 3 words and cringe about the thought of buying a Malaysian designed item? I have to admit that I am guilty of purchasing international brands that have been brought to our shores through freetrade import. These brands not only saturated us with choices, it drowns out our local business. Therefore, over the years, I've been trying and learning to support Malaysian designers (well, how do you think they will succeed without it?) and looking within our country first when making a buying decision. Not many Malaysian names might be making it big overseas (yet) but it's sure sending a ripple through our land.Fashion is such a thriving hub of creativity that is constantly changing (monthly and not even seasonally anymore). Which means, a lot of time, effort and $$$ has to constantly be pumped in to keep afloat (what more succeed?). Not only are the huge brands with tones of resources suffering, but they are stamping out pre-mature budding talents. Which is why I am (personally) thankful for local efforts that pick up and promote local potential in our country. With these support, it becomes more encouraging for local designers to improve our quality and standards. No more are the days of producing lower end goods. To compete in the international arena, we really need to buck up.
And in terms of the on slaughter of international competition, all I can say is that it is always going to be there. Whether or not you choose to compete, it will still remain a fact. And it is safe to say that, we don't really have a choice whether or not we "want" to compete. Someone out there is going to want to be better than you all the time. And it is no biggie being the "first" anymore.
Saying all that, leads to my awe for Ode to Liberty, a local fashion site that is big on supporting local fashion designers. And (boy!!!) are they good! From Malaysian Fashion Designers that range from couture (Baharim), to pret-a-porter (Justin Chew), shoes and bags (Yiu Lin from Klutched/Shoes Shoes Shoes) and of course accessories (Sze Accessories).
One look at the website and the designers that they've chosen to feature, makes you take a second glance. Are they really from Malaysia? Yes, yes and yes!!! So, all I want to say, in short, even when shopping, think about home first and see how you can make it a better place!
