MALAYSIAN DESIGNER SETS UP FASHION ACADEMY IN PARIS

By Siti Hawa Othman

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- A Paris-based Malaysian designer is setting
up a fashion academy to pass on his skills and render his knowledge on ways to
do business in the tough international fashion world.

With over 30 years of experience, Ng Swee Kuang, creator of the renowned
"Ornel Soie" brand, is calling upon Malaysians to join his "Ng Paris
Professional Fashion Academy" in Paris.

"I want to cultivate Malaysians to be designers. I have passed my know-how
to the French people. I am a Malaysian and I cannot be selfish to my future
generation," he told Bernama in a recent interview here.

He said there were already Europeans who have registered with the academy
but priority would be given to Malaysians.

"We need students who already have basic fashion skills of between two and
three years while SMEs (small and medium scale entrepreneurs) can also join us
to perfect themselves in their business," he said.

Ng said the academy would start in early May with between 15 and 18 students
following a very intensive course for two months.

Following the training, the student will become a member of the academy
which is entitled to a number of priviledges.

Ng has made a mark by dressing up a French lady minister Christine Lagarde
with his batik jacket creation. Lagarde is the French Minister of Economy,
Industry and Employment.

"My duty is to show to the world Malaysian batik. I may not be the top 10
designers but I managed to dress up (one of) the world's top 10 women," he said.

According to him, the response towards batik is very encouraging in France
and he has also dressed up many foreign dignitaries with his batik wear and
other creations.

Ng, 58, studied fashion in Japan and Paris, winning accolades, including the
"Best Designer Award in Japan" in 1979 as well as the "Best Collection Award" in
Moscow during the 17th International Fashion Industry Exhibition in 2002.

His clothing wear are sold in Europe, including Italy, Spain, England,
Holland and Germany, as well as the United States, Canada, the Middle East and
African countries and as far as China, Japan and Taiwan.

-- BERNAMA



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