The third KL Fashion Week kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 3 and will run through May 8. The biggest fashion extravaganza in the country, KLFW 2005, gathered corporate figures, fashion key players and celebrities for cocktails and dinner at Fashion Gala Night at Shangri-La Hotel on Tuesday.

Among the Malaysian designers, participating in the event are Edric Ong, Sharifah Kirana, Orson Liyu, and Michael Ong. Other Asian fashion designers, presenting their collections throughout the week, are India's Rohit Bal, Hong Kong's Walter Ma and Blanc de Chine, Singapore's Allan Ross, Thailand's Nagara Sambandaraksa and Nono Palmos from the Philippines.

Some 50 young and aspiring artists from Carven Academy of Fashion, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Perak, SML Fashion Academy and Centre for Advanced Design (Cenfad) will also have a chance to showcase their creations under the College Fashion Show on May 5 and 6.

The numerous events of the week will include the STAR Designer Awards 2005, a fashion design competition to unveil a new star designer, and the Editors Awards, held to honor those who have made an impact on the Malaysian fashion scene. Some of the awards' nominations are Designer of the Year, Best Model, Best International Label and Most Stylish Man/Woman.

KL Fashion Week 2005 is organised by The Star, Malaysia's leading English language publication, and presented by Tourism Malaysia and L'Oreal Paris