THE Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities are less than a month away, and there’s no time like the present to get started on all that baju raya shopping.

With all the family and friends get-togethers and events that come along with the festivities, you’ll want to show up in style, and we’ve got a few pointers for you from local fashion designers.

Several weeks ago, we got a taste of what fresh trends are out there this Raya, as three young designers showcased their latest collections at the Lebaran Fashion Vanguard 2012 Aidilfitri show at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.

Up-and-coming designers Afiq M., Zakwan Anuar and Fiziwoo put on a great show for the crowd, showcasing their creative interpretations of Aidilfitri fashion.

Classic kurung were given a contemporary twist while retaining their demure and delicate qualities, while traditional blouses took on modern cuts that make them ideal to be worn to events, family gatherings and visiting relatives.

Each designer showcased their distinctive styles, and here’s a breakdown of what each one had to offer:

Afiq M.

Inspired by 60s retro, Afiq’s focus was on the details – collars and cuffs. Incorporating Peter Pan collars and cuffs for loose sleeves on baju kurung gave the outfits a modern vibe without being too experimental.

Colours were monotone grey, mustard and burnt orange which are very fall/winter and a great choice for dresses and kurungs.

Afiq, (who has a bridal label Afiq M. Sposa with Reni Diana Sulaiman), also included lace and mesh into several designs to give them a feminine feel and look.

Zakwan Anuar

Traditional and edgy at the same time, Zakwan’s muse for this collection was actress Rooney Mara. Inspired by her dark beauty and the sharp silhouetted dresses she is often seen wearing, this law student-turned-fashion designer made sure his creations were sleek, sharp and showed-off the model’s figures.

Zakwan’s creative use of modern cuts in structured pieces gave otherwise feminine dresses, kurung and kebaya a futuristic edge. Sophisticated and elegant, his Aidilfitri collection is a great mix of traditional Muslimwear and modern chic.

Fiziwoo

Fiziwoo closed the show with a collection of soft, feminine Raya-wear for the girly-girl in all of us.

The duo behind the label – Fizi Woo and Izree Kai Haffiz, chose pastels to go with punches of bright colours on long skirts, structured tops and tight-fitting kurung.

High-waisted skirts and demure kurung all shared something in common – a defined waist, several outfits cinched with a cute belt.

The standout piece of the collection was definitely the off-white Mandarin-collared, short-sleeved long-skirted number, the tight bodice ending at the hips, then transforming into a floor-grazing, flowy skirt.

For more information on the designers, check out their Facebook pages here:

https://www.facebook.com/AfiqMOfficial

https://www.facebook.com/officialfiziwoo

https://www.facebook.com/ZakwanAnuarOfficial