Latest news with #KFW
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Showcasing local talents
Graceful evening wear designed by Hasfitri Yusof (left). Kedah Fashion Week (KFW) 2025 is set to showcase 18 couture designers for its 10th edition. This year's lineup will also feature well-known Thai designer Patinya, alongside 11 up-and-coming student designers from Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Organised by Aman Central, a mall in Alor Setar, Kedah, the event aims to showcase local talents. Designer Asyraf Ariff (left) is inspired by Malay fashion. Kedah Fashion Week 2025 will take place at Aman Central from Aug 1 to 3. This year, the theme is 'Diamond'. Aman Central marketing communications assistant general manager Ken Chin said the theme was chosen as it represented the pressure that designers go through before coming out with clear, strong and brilliant designs, just like a diamond. Chin said the event also gave the community a reason to gather, celebrate local fashion talents and take pride in the event happening in the state, which was not known for its high fashion. 'When families come to watch, they see local culture and creativity reflected in them. 'When young people attend, they see a path they can take for themselves. 'For local brands and entrepreneurs, KFW sparks new ideas and confidence to grow further,' he said at a press conference to announce the upcoming KFW 2025 at The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur. Chin said sustainability was a key component of KFW 2025. He said some designers would be using upcycled materials, as well as heritage techniques, to show that fashion can honour both creativity and care for the planet. 'Some of our young designers from UniKL are working with fabric remnants to create new pieces, turning waste into value,' he said. Aman Central developer Belleview Group director Grace Ho, who was present at the event, said the vision behind building the mall was to bring a fresh vibrancy to Alor Setar. 'We want Aman Central to grow as a place where people gather, where businesses find opportunities and where culture and creativity can thrive together. 'We want KFW to serve as a platform where Kedah's creative voice can be heard far beyond its borders, while remaining deeply rooted in the stories and traditions that have shaped it. 'We hope young designers will feel that their work matters and their ideas have a home here,' she said.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa finalising R54 billion loan package with World Bank, KfW, and African Development Bank
The International Monetary Fund has also recommended that South Africa reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60% to align with international standards. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the country's escalating debt levels. South Africa's debt-to-GDP ratio has grown from 23.6% in 2008/09 to a projected 74.7% in 2024/25. In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday, Godongwana said the funds will support municipal projects and performance-related initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening local government operations across the country. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has revealed that the government is managing a loan package totalling about R 54 billion from international lenders, including the World Bank , African Development Bank, and KFW. Godongwana explained that this is not a single new loan but rather a package made up of multiple loans from different development partners. 'We're dealing with another one now, which is supporting performance-related for municipalities. Again, it's a consortium of the World Bank, the KFW, the African Development Bank, all of them coming together to put up a loan for us,' he said. He added that the total loan amount, in rand, is expected to be about 54 billion, and that the funds will likely be disbursed in stages, with some going directly to municipalities and some allocated as a policy loan to support broader reforms. 'I think in Rands overall, the total loan is going to be about 54 billion. I suspect it's going to be staggered because some of it is going to be going into municipalities. Some of it is in what is called the policy loan." The announcement comes barely a month after the World Bank approved a $1.5 billion (R26 billion) loan to support the country's "key reforms aimed at making the country's infrastructure more efficient and sustainable." According to the bank, the loan also aims to address South Africa's twin economic challenges of low growth and high unemployment by easing infrastructure constraints in the energy and freight transport sectors. IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Hype Malaysia
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Step Into Style! Kedah Fashion Week 2025 To Ignite Aman Central Once Again This August
Malaysia's fashion season is back—and this year, it arrives with extra sparkle. Aman Central marks its 10th anniversary in style with the return of Kedah Fashion Week 2025. As always, the event takes place at the heart of Alor Setar, where an abandoned plot has transformed into Northern Malaysia's most dynamic lifestyle destination. Aman Central has become more than just a mall—it's now a cultural icon and creative anchor for the region. Happening from 1st to 3rd August, this year's fashion week takes on the theme 'Diamond'—a symbol of brilliance, strength, and elegance. Just like a diamond formed under pressure, both Aman Central and Kedah Fashion Week have grown with resilience. With 18 couture designers and 11 fresh student talents on the runway, KFW 2025 promises a bold new chapter. Expect energy, elegance, and creativity like never before. More than a fashion showcase, Kedah Fashion Week is a cultural movement. It uplifts local voices, strengthens Northern Malaysia's creative scene, and inspires the next generation. What started as a vision now stands as a nationally recognised platform for design, style, and artistic innovation. Each edition brings new stories and fresh talent into the spotlight—building a legacy of ambition, identity, and expression. Kedah Fashion Week 2025 Date: 1st (Friday) – 3rd (Sunday) August 2025 1st (Friday) – 3rd (Sunday) August 2025 Venue: Aman Central, Alor Setar, Kedah Returning to the runway are KFW favourites: Seth and Luna, Salleh Hamid, Hasfitri Yusof, Teddie Alrashed, Naemah Khuntum, and Ikmal Mukmin. They're joined by standout names like Fareez Axuan, YT Lim, Asyraf Arrif, and Taufik Idros. Visionary designer Shanell Harun will also present her latest collection. Additionally, KFW welcomes acclaimed Thai designer Patinya Kyokong, adding international flair to the lineup. Adding even more glamour, beloved artists Nadeera Zaini, Hael Husaini, Amir Masdi, and Mimifly are set to take the stage. Their star power and on-stage charisma will no doubt electrify the atmosphere. Expect unforgettable performances, red carpet moments, and an audience filled with fashion lovers and local icons. KFW 2025 also shines a spotlight on tomorrow's tastemakers. Rising stars like Isyraf Arysi, Hazizul Aziz, Helmi Hamdan, Ku Syafiq, and Liren Ho will be able to showcase their work. Their collections promise bold vision, fresh aesthetics, and stories that reflect the richness of Northern Malaysia's cultural spirit. These young creatives are ready to leave their mark. Adding to the occasion's prestige, Her Royal Highness Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Che Puan Muda Zaheeda, Raja Puan Muda Kedah, will attend all three days of the showcase. Her presence continues to elevate the event and highlights its significance within the region's cultural calendar. For the latest news, full schedule, and designer reveals, follow @amancentral on social media or visit their official website at This is one fashion week you won't want to miss. Zaima Humaria contributed to this article
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bear sightings happening in central Kentucky: What to know
BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) — In just the past week, bears went over the mountains to see what they could see. Whether that be climbing across a fence in Versailles or across the interstate in Berea. Each year, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife gets hundreds of reports of bear sightings. John Hast, the bear and elk coordinator, said they are most common on the eastern border of the state, yet they may be seen just about anywhere. 'Usually, sometime mid-June through July, August, and September, young male bears will kind of roam out of the mountains and end up in the Bluegrass Region,' Hast said. He said it's also not uncommon to see them along the Kentucky River, and some of these bears are Kentucky residents, while others are strolling through. Kentucky officials trying to relocate bear spotted in Versailles: How to stay safe 'A bear in Berea may actually be a resident bear for that area. If you're a couple of counties over, maybe towards Danville or up towards Versailles, we had a report in Versailles last week, those are just young bears that are walking through, trying to find some new territory,' Hast said. He continued to say the number of sightings in the Bluegrass this summer is about average, but a buzzing insect may have had something to do with their movements. 'I think the cicadas catch had helped a little bit; bears eat cicadas, so it calmed things down for us a little bit,' Hast said. KFW educates folks on what to do if they encounter a bear, especially those living in mountain areas. More information about bears can be found here. What should Kentuckians expect ahead of a heavy travel weekend? Lextran provides update on downtown transit center construction Bear sightings happening in central Kentucky: What to know Most importantly, never approach a bear, and make sure trash is secure so they are not tempted to keep visiting. Be prepared, not scared. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Khayelitsha Fashion Week is bringing the heat this winter
It may be winter in Cape Town, but Khayelitsha Fashion Week is turning up the heat. Now in its 10th year, the event is not only a celebration of style – it's a powerful platform for rising local talent. Hosted at the Artscape, this year's edition is shining a spotlight on emerging designers, models, and photographers from in and around the township, giving them a stage to share their boldest and brightest creations. Over the past decade, Khayelitsha Fashion Week (KFW) has been a trailblazer in challenging stereotypes and creating space for underrepresented voices in fashion. 'This is where we celebrate the creatives of our township, where we celebrate fashion as a whole,' says Bongani Matenjwa, Director of Khayelitsha Fashion Week. 'So this platform, to me, means a lot.' Matenjwa adds that KFW is especially meaningful because it's opening doors for rural and township-based talent – many of whom have had little to no exposure to the fashion world. Most of their models had never set foot on a runway he says, but after just two months of training, people who never imagined themselves in fashion now confidently own the catwalk. Khayelitsha Fashion Week will take place at the Artscape in Cape Town on Saturday, 7 June, from 12 pm. Tickets are priced between R150 and R250.
