Through the Grapevine: September 2026

Merdeka Textile Museum, deni garcia, Tale of Two, Maison G and Skins

In Malaysia, the Merdeka Textile Museum has opened in Kuala Lumpur, built on the textile collection of the late Azah Aziz, a journalist who spent decades documenting Malay dress. In the Philippines, deni garcia brings a new collection to Purveyr Fair in Manila. In Indonesia, Tale of Two takes over the Bali store Escalier with pieces from its hand-dyed Magic Seed collection and Skins launches a summer collection built largely from deadstock fabric. And in Thailand, MAISON G moves into new territory with the cummerbund, a pleated waist sash made by artisans in Jaipur.

Through the Grapevine is a monthly round-up of fashion events across Southeast Asia, from collection launches to exhibitions, showcases, pop-ups, and more.

Malaysia

Archival photo of Azah Aziz. Image taken from Merdeka Textile Museum’s website.

Merdeka Textile Museum
Museum Opening
Merdeka 118 precinct, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Built around the personal collection of the late Azah Aziz, a journalist and women’s rights advocate who spent decades documenting the textiles and dress of the Malay world, the Merdeka Textile Museum has opened in the Merdeka 118 precinct. In her research, she studied Malay costume through the lens of classical Malay literature, while her book Rupa & Gaya: Busana Melayu remains a reference for scholars of the field. The collection she assembled, more than 300 pieces of textiles, costumes and jewellery was gifted to the museum by her daughter Tan Sri Zeti Aziz, and forms its current core. A free, self-guided preview runs until 1 October 2026, Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 to 4pm.

Philippines

deni garcia at Purveyr Fair Booth 94
12 to 13 September 2026
World Trade Center, Manila

Deni Garcia is an emerging designer who draws on difficult subjects like trauma and healing in her work. Her SoFA Design Institute collection equilibrium moved between disorder and calm, asking what it means to choose healing over inherited pain. This month she presents her new collection, 001, at Purveyr Fair. Purveyr began in 2016 as a small platform for homegrown brands. It is now one of Manila’s main stages for independent Filipino labels, gathering more than 150 merchants this year.

Indonesia

Tale of Two’s Padi top (left) and Padi tube top (right) from the Magic Seed collection in Cucumber T-dye. Images taken from @taleoftwo_ on Instagram.

Tale of Two
Pop-up at Escalier
5 to 11 September 2026
Escalier, Desa Potato Head, Seminyak, Bali

Tale of Two is a Bali label founded in 2019 by sisters Inka and Modhy Fitria. It works on a pre-order system, making each piece by hand in Bali to cut down on waste, using biodegradable fabrics and eco-friendly ink. This month the label takes over Escalier in Seminyak for a week-long pop-up. On show are pieces from its Magic Seed collection in Cucumber T-dye, a yoga line cut for movement in soft ribbed knit made with the sustainable fibre Ecovero. The pop-up opens with a party on 5 September, Saturday. The event is open to the public.

Skins
Collection Launch at Public Garden
12 to 13 September 2026
Suntec Convention Hall 405, Singapore

Skins is an Indonesian label that makes clothing largely from deadstock fabric. The label makes simple wardrobe basics with added detailing. Its previous collection, RESKINS, was a collaboration with the design studio Rethread, which reworked Skins pieces through redesigning, reconstruction, recolouring and hand embroidery into one-of-a-kind garments. This month it launches its summer collection, The Detour, with a special release at Public Garden in Singapore. The 16-piece collection includes a pink cape-set top, a layered chiffon skirt and a cream ruffle blazer.

Thailand

MAISON G
Cummerbund launch

Maison G is the Bangkok label of Thanawat Saetan. He started the label at home, drawing on a background in painting and sculpture. His work is rooted in traditional craft using local materials and working with Thai artisans. An early piece is the Yo Yos bag, made from Thai silk. The label began with his bags, and has now expanded into the cummerbund, a broad pleated sash work around the waist in formal dress. The name comes from the Persian kamarband, or cummerbund, meaning waist band. Made in Jaipur, it comes in pintuck cotton, cotton silk and embroidered silk.