ISLAMIC FASHION FESTIVAL LONDON 2012 BENEFITS TWO MAJOR CHARITIES

London, 25 April, 2012: The Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) was presented here for the second consecutive year at the Natural History Museum this evening. The Charity Gala Dinner themed “Diversity in Modesty” is held in aid of The Duke of Edinburgh International Award for Young People and The Wessex Youth Trust. The IFF first debuted in London in July 2011. 

Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku Haminah led the list of royals who graced the high profile event. The other royals include Her Royal Highness Sultanah Kalsom of Pahang, Her Royal Highness Sultanah NUr Zahirah of Terengganu, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, His Royal Highness Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin and Her Royal Highness Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah. Besides Malaysia, the other royalties are from Brunei Darussalam, Monaco and Saudi Arabia.

Also in attendance were IFF Patron, Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia the Rt. Hon. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak (who officially accompanied Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku Haminah for this event), Her Excellency Evelyne Genta, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the United Kingdom and Mr. Wan Zawawi Mohamed, Director of Human Resource for Tourism Malaysia which is a key IFF sponsor.

The beneficiaries of the Charity Gala Dinner, The Duke of Edinburgh International Award and The Wessex Youth Trust, are focused on children and young people. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Programme empowers 14-25 year-olds to take up life’s opportunities, regardless of their gender, background or location. Launched in the UK in 1956, more than seven million young people from over 140 countries and territories have taken part in the Award. Set up in 1999 shortly before the wedding of HRH The Prince Edward and Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones, The Wessex Youth Trust was established to help, support and advance registered charities which provide opportunities specifically for children and young people. 

The funds for charity were raised through the auction of exclusive items donated by renowned British designer Bruce Oldfield, F1 and Aston Martin, and Ascot Racecourse Limited. The items on auction were a Bruce Oldfield-designed designed couture dress, four VIP Monaco Grand Prix tickets and exclusive tour of the Aston Martin factory, and First Class service in a private box at Ascot. The guests were also able to donate funds via the purchase of tables at the event. As a token of appreciation for the guests’ generosity, a Lucky Draw was also held, with the prize of a two-night stay in a one bedroom Riad donated by Royal Mansour Marrakech. Besides Tourism Malaysia as the key sponsor, the other sponsors for IFF London 2012 are Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd, Merge Energy Berhad and Frazer Nash. 

Emceed by renowned impressionist Rory Bremner and entertained by West End dancer, award-winning choreographer and singer Stephen Rahman-Hughes of smash hit “Bombay Dreams” and male opera group Teatro fame, the London fashion show presented Islamic fashion creations by eight designers from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Lahore and Marrakech. The theme “Diversity in Modesty” is a reflection of the diverse styles of Islamic fashion of peoples of the faith who come from diverse cultural backgrounds.  

The designers for the London show were Kuala Lumpur’s Dato’ Bernard Chandran with his collection themed “Abaya Abaya”, Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi (“Borneo”), Melinda Looi (“The Enchanting Edo Era”), Syaiful Baharim (“Sartorial Hijab”) and Yin Ping (“Flora”); Ghea Panggabean of Jakarta with “Romantic Heritage”; Nickie Nina of Lahore with “Jasmine” and Marrakech’s Souad Chraibi presenting “One Thousand and One Nights”. 

“Diversity” is a running theme of the IFF which has featured more than 250 designers and labels from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds including Kenzo, Etro and Zang Toi since its first Islamic fashion extravaganza in Kuala Lumpur. Created in 2006 by Founder and Chairman Raja Rezza Shah, the IFF seeks to promote the beauty of Islamic fashion as stylish and wearable to an international audience, and to also illustrate the gentle side of Islam through fashion. The IFF has since been successfully presented in Abu Dhabi, Astana, Bandung, Dubai, Jakarta, Kota Bharu, London, Manila, Monte Carlo, New York City and Singapore. The IFF will next travel for its debut in Bali in July before its flagship week-long fashion extravaganza in Kuala Lumpur on November.

For enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Rebecca (London) & Ms Haniza (Kuala Lumpur) 

M: +44 7976753429 

T: +60 3 42561060 / 2060

E: klj.iff@gmail.com

Relax and Rejuvenate at Malaysia's World Famous Spas

With ever increasing stress and day-to-day pressures, there is no time like the present to take a break and relax at one of Malaysia’s world renowned spa resorts. An integral part of Malaysian culture, many spas can be found in Kuala Lumpur but are mostly hidden amongst the white sands and palm trees of beach resorts and amid the mountainous rainforests. Nothing could be more relaxing than listening to the live sounds of the rainforest or the gentle lapping of the waves and inhaling the healing sea breeze whilst an expert Malay masseur alleviates muscular aches and pains, knowing that you have saved 23% on a 10-night stay at a Langkawi Spa & Resort and 20% on all treatments. There are a variety of value for money packages available from Flight Centre, Hayes and Jarvis, Kuoni and Trailfinders, please see below for more detail.

“A spa break in Malaysia is a wonderful way to leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind.  The rugged tropical landscape and stunning beaches  are the perfect environment for ultimate relaxation– not to mention friendly people and delicious seafood.” Amy Lucas, Group PR Manager, Flight Centre UK Ltd

Health and wellness therapies have long been embedded in Malaysian culture and have now become something of a fine art. Because of the rich diversity of cultures, there are a vast number of therapy types and techniques that have been passed down through the generations. Malaysia spa treatments have essences of Javanese remedies and ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicines as well as Chinese Shiatsu practices amongst others. Spa treatments involve herbal baths, exotic massage oils and full body scrubs, using coconut milk, aloe vera, crushed herbaceous leaves and palm sugar. Most spa resorts, like the world famous spa village of Pangkor Laut, also come complete with steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis and pools to ensure a detoxifying and rejuvenating experience. 

Emma Mitchell, Product Executive for the Far East and Africa, at Hayes & Jarvis says: “As Malaysia is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world, there are an abundance of indigenous plants and herbs known for their healing qualities. Passed down from generation to generation, Malay spa treatments often make use of the plentiful local raw ingredients, making this a great place to choose for a relaxing spa break.”

- Ends-

For more information, please contact:

Representation Plus

Flo Powell

Email: flo@representationplus.co.uk 

Tel: 020 8877 4509

Visit: www.tourism.gov.my

Pangkor Laut Spa Resort: http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/accommodation/index.htm

Packages:

Hayes & Jarvis (www.hayesandjarvis.com / 0844 415 1918) has a 12-night break available to the five-star Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa in Langkawi, Malaysia, priced from £1,279 per person – saving 23 per cent (£377pp). Located on a 500-metre stretch of private beach close to Kuah Town, the hotel has four swimming pools, a gym and spa plus squash and tennis courts. Departing on 16 September, the package includes 10 nights’ room only accommodation (including two bonus nights), a complimentary room upgrade, Malaysian Airlines flights from London Heathrow to Langkawi via Kuala Lumpur (overnight outbound & inbound flights) plus transfers. The ‘Uniquely’ H&J Long Stay Exclusive Offer also includes a 20 per cent discount on spa treatments, an hour’s free watersports (per person per stay) and a buffet dinner for two.

Flight Centre offers ‘Penang Spa Luxury’ – 7 nights from £1,235. The offer includes return airfares, 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation at the 5* Shangri La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Penang. There is the option to add a Butterfly farm tour from £27.  Flights depart from London Heathrow, travel must be taken between 15 August to 30 September 2012 and the offer must be booked by 31 May 2012.  To book call: 0844 800 8624 or visit www.flightcentre.co.uk, quoting reference 1241206.

Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offers 7 nights for the price of 6 on room & breakfast basis at Pangkor Laut Resort, West Coast of Malaysia in a garden villa, including flights with Etihad Airways from Heathrow (via Abu Dhabi) with private return transfers to the resort.  Prices for September 2012 are from £1,422 per person, based on two sharing.   

Trailfinders offers 7 nights at the 5+ star Pankor Laut Resort with breakfast & transfers. This includes flights from Heathrow with Royal Jordanian and costs £1,329 per person based on two sharing a room & subject to availability. No credit card surcharges or booking fees apply on Trailfinders holidays. The offer is valid for selected May departures. To book please call 020 7368 1200.

Malaysia: Calling All Sports Enthusiasts

Due to the brilliant natural diversity of Malaysia, there is a mammoth range of year-round sporting activities to try. Malaysia offers innumerable water-based adventures such as sailing, diving, white-water rafting, kayaking, windsurfing and surfing as well as an array of terrestrial pursuits like golf, fishing, climbing, cycling and hiking as well as a range of competitive annual sporting events. There is no other Asian country that truly offers so much sporting variety.

Diving is an invigorating way to spend a couple of weeks or more: Pulau Sipadan, Sabah, is an exceptional world-class diving destination with sightings of hundreds of turtles, reef sharks and clutches of exotic fish such as bumphead parrotfish. Dive site Pulau Redang, off the coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, is known as the kingdom of coral, boasting a huge variety of corals such as gorgonian sea fans and mushroom coral. Batfish, rabbitfish and white-eyed moray eels come swarming to the island for its underwater gardens. World Dive Expert, Patrick Shier stated: “Warm tropical water and reefs teeming with colourful unique marine life make diving in Malaysia a treat for divers and photographers of all levels of experience. Malaysia is on the 'must visit' list for all divers, the UK has over a million qualified divers with thousands more qualifying every year”.

Malaysia also boasts a huge variety of golf courses and is fast becoming South-East Asia’s golfing capital. There are now over 200 golf courses in Malaysia, many of which have been constructed by world-renowned designers like Jack Nicklaus. Golfers can tee off in undulating, rainforest landscapes or nestled amid the sky scrapers in one of the 26 courses that are less than a 45 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia will also host the first ever ‘IAGTO’ Asia Conference from 22-25 April 2012. One item of golfing equipment with a maximum weight of 15kg will be carried free with Malaysia Airlines and green fees range from £6 to £85, offering something for everyone, compared to an average green fee of £34 in the UK.

Hiking and rock climbing are hugely popular in Malaysia; many visitors climb Mount Kinabalu, one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters tall. For the more competitive mountaineer, there is an annual climbathon every October, where the record to beat is an incredible two hour 44 minute ascent.  

Kuoni (01306 747008 or www.kuoni.co.uk) offers 7 nights in Borneo, Malaysia, on a room only basis, staying 5 nights at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu in a superior rainforest room and 2 nights on the Mount Kinabalu Climb, including flights with Malaysia Airlines from Heathrow with transfers in resort.  Prices for October 2012 are from £1698 per person, based on two sharing. 

Endowed with the waters of a fisher’s paradise, anglers have the opportunity to explore one of the world’s top fishing destinations.  Malaysia offers a plethora of both marine and fresh water fish species, including the deliciously meaty Black Marlin, Tuna and Yellowfin. 

On Malaysia’s shores, there is an increasing number of marinas and yacht clubs, putting Malaysia firmly on the marina map. Visitors can easily explore the coastal inlets and emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, where the Langkawi sailing infrastructure is outstanding. Every January, expert sailors race around the Andaman Sea in the hope of winning the Royal Langkawi International Regatta. 

When cyclists take to the street in Kuala Lumpur, it can only mean one thing – Le Tour de Langkawi. Asia’s premium cycling event races through 7 states over 10 days covering close to 1,500km every February. Novice cyclists can also bike to their hearts content year round throughout Malaysia and enjoy the extreme diversity of landscape.

- Ends-

For more information, please contact:

Representation Plus

Flo Powell

Email: flo@representationplus.co.uk 

Tel: 020 8877 4509

Visit: www.tourism.gov.my

Le Tour de Langkawi: http://www.ltdl.com.my/

Mt Kinabalu Climbathon: http://climbathon.sabahtourism.com/2011/

Langkawi Regatta:  http://www.langkawiregatta.com/