The Malaysian fashion house Tom Abang Saufi (TAS) recently celebrated an impressive milestone of 40 years in design excellence during the Islamic Fashion Festival held in Kuala Lumpur. This showcase beautifully highlighted the fusion of heritage-inspired prints and modern silhouettes, skillfully blending Sarawakian tradition with contemporary fashion.
Four Decades of Malaysian Fashion
The Islamic Fashion Festival, taking place in the stunning surroundings of the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, elevated the standards of modest fashion over its three-day event. A significant highlight was the celebration of the renowned Tom Abang Saufi (TAS), which commemorated its 40th anniversary through a magnificent fashion presentation titled “Weaving the Past, Dressing the Future” on November 25.
Gracing the event were HRH Sultanah Nur Diana Petra Abdullah of Kelantan, members of royalty, and esteemed guests from Malaysia’s elite circles. The representation of Sarawakians included notable figures such as Dato’ Emma Ibrahim, designer Yacutha, and others.
Honoring a Legacy
This event was a tribute to four decades of design excellence led by Dato’ Indera Tom Abang Saufi, whose visionary creativity has profoundly influenced the landscape of modern Malaysian fashion. Her distinctive heritage-inspired prints, fluid silhouettes, and timeless aesthetics have established TAS as a leading icon of contemporary cultural expression.
On November 24, Tom Abang Saufi was honored with the Islamic Fashion Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to Malaysia’s fashion industry, her lasting global impact, and her dedication to preserving and modernizing the nation’s cultural identity through her designs.
Born in Kuching, Sarawak, Tom Abang Saufi is a pioneering force in the Malaysian fashion scene. Throughout the past four decades, she has dressed royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Her designs are celebrated for their effortless sophistication, merging tradition with contemporary forms, and firmly placing Malaysian fashion on the global map. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: style should appear effortless, feel comfortable, and remain deeply rooted in one’s heritage.
The TAS fashion showcase at the Islamic Fashion Week 2025, a festival founded and organized by Dato Raja Shah Reza, featured an introductory show that highlighted Tom Abang Saufi’s family and her journey from her hometown of Kuching to the global fashion stage. The collection celebrated her legacy, reflecting her signature style infused with Sarawak heritage and motifs. Traditional elements such as Pua Kumbu, ikat, and rotan weaves were reimagined with a contemporary twist. The colors were richer, and embellishments were used thoughtfully, ensuring that the garments remained alluring without being overwhelming.
The result was a collection that balances timelessness with current trends, deeply rooted in Bornean identity yet resonating across diverse cultures.
“This show is about celebrating the journey with the people, the stories, and the creativity that shaped who we are. Fashion may change, but values will not. Heritage gives us identity; innovation keeps us alive,” expressed Tom Abang Saufi, Founder and Creative Director of TAS.
As a proud Sarawakian, she describes her home state as “a landscape that moves at a steadier rhythm, where mornings rise quietly from the riverbanks, evenings fold themselves through ancient trees, and the colors of the land linger in the heart before they ever appear to the eye.”
Designing with Respect
Reflecting on the Middle Eastern influence within her collection, she emphasized that designing for Middle Eastern women requires profound respect for their inherent elegance, emotional depth, and the intimate relationship they maintain with their clothing.
For her, modesty transcends a mere fashion choice; it is a language that communicates dignity, clarity of intention, and inner power. Her silhouettes are crafted to honor this language, flowing with the woman instead of overshadowing her, resulting in pieces that harmonize effortless simplicity with refined sophistication.
The TAS brand today
Under the guidance of Dirk Adam Luebbert, Group CEO of Sunshine International Group, the TAS brand is solidifying its status as one of Malaysia’s foremost heritage-based fashion houses. With its ready-to-wear line, TAS by Tom Abang Saufi, the brand has successfully ventured into e-commerce through platforms like Zalora and www.tomabangsaufi.com, making designer heritage wear more accessible to a new generation while maintaining the quality and authenticity synonymous with the label.
TAS embodies “Heritage and stories woven into every print.”
Its core values of “Connection, Joy, Sustainability, and Accessibility” guide each creation, ensuring that every design not only celebrates Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry but also fosters connections through shared stories and modern elegance.
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Danny H is a real estate negotiator in Miri, specializing in residential and commercial properties. He provides trusted guidance, updated listings, and professional support through MiriProperty.com.my to help clients make confident property decisions.
