A fresh interpretation of Nusantara heritage has earned Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) recognition on the regional fashion stage, as Muhammad Zaki Kamarul Arifin emerged as the 2nd Winner in Category 1 – New Gen Fashion Designer at VASTRALOKA 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Held on 23 August 2026, VASTRALOKA 2026 celebrated the richness of Nusantara culture through contemporary fashion, challenging emerging designers to transform heritage, identity and cultural narratives into modern creative expressions.
Muhammad Zaki, a Bachelor in Fashion Design with Marketing student, impressed the competition with his creative vision and ability to translate design concepts into a compelling fashion presentation.
The competition, organised in collaboration with Fashion Crafty Jakarta and supported by Native Indonesia, combined creative development, design incubation, jury evaluation and runway presentations.
Through the process, participants explored how traditional cultural elements could be reimagined through contemporary silhouettes, textile expressions and modern fashion perspectives.
For Muhammad Zaki, the experience extended beyond winning an award. It provided exposure to an international creative environment while allowing him to test his ideas beyond the classroom and engage with the expectations of the fashion industry.
Accompanied by UniKL MIDI Fashion Design lecturer Hazirah Halim, he also had the memorable opportunity to meet Indonesian fashion designer Wilsen Willim, making the Jakarta experience even more meaningful beyond the competition itself.
The achievement adds to UniKL’s growing visibility in fashion design education, creative industries and international student achievements, while showcasing Malaysian talent within the wider Southeast Asian creative ecosystem.
The achievement and learning experience contribute particularly to SDG 4: Quality Education, through experiential and industry-connected learning; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by developing talent and employability for the creative economy; and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly through the appreciation and preservation of cultural heritage.
