Since the launch of the Bachelor in Fashion Design with Marketing (Honours) programme in late 2023, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has celebrated its first-ever student fashion show — the De Blanco Show 2025 — featuring the creative works of 18 first-year students.
Themed entirely in white, the show’s name De Blanco is derived from Italian and translates literally to “The White Show,” symbolising design in its purest form.
“Traditionally, this format is adopted by renowned fashion institutions to allow first-year students to present their work free from the distractions of colour and print.
“In white, attention is drawn solely to silhouette, cut, technique, and craftsmanship,” said UniKL Deputy President (Academic and Technology), YBhg. Prof. Dr. Kushsairy Abdul Kadir, during his welcoming speech at the event held on 17 May 2025 at the UniKL Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI).
Also in attendance were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zaid Abu Yazid, Dean of UniKL MIDI; Dr. Mohamad Fareez Azuan, Programme Coordinator; Hazizul Abd Aziz, Fashion Lecturer; as well as industry professionals and lecturers from the fashion programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Uniquely, the fashion show was staged inside a railway workshop — one of UniKL MIDI’s niche specialisation areas — adding an industrial aesthetic that highlighted the synergy between design and technology.
UniKL’s “De Blanco Show 2025” marks a promising debut for its new Bachelor’s in Fashion Design with Marketing programme, showcasing the foundational talent of its first-year students.
This emphasis on core design principles like silhouette, cut, and craftsmanship, as highlighted by the all-white theme, resonates with the qualities of excellence recognised in prestigious rankings such as the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art & Design.
As the programme matures, integrating sustainability into its curriculum and future showcases will be pivotal.
By encouraging students to explore eco-conscious materials, zero-waste techniques, and ethical production, UniKL can align with the growing global emphasis on sustainable fashion—a factor increasingly valued by the industry and reflected in the ethos of leading institutions often featured in the QS rankings.
Such initiatives, combining strong foundational skills with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, can enhance the programme’s reputation and prepare graduates to make a meaningful impact in the evolving fashion landscape, potentially paving the way for future recognition on international platforms.
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