Latest news with #MalaysianInternationalFurnitureFair
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
APU talent lights up furniture fair
Celebrating excellence: Yeong (centre) receiving the 'Best Institution' award from Tan (right). – MIFF Like clothing for its wearer, furniture design helps bring out the character of a home and its owner. It's a quality that Ong Jing Rou constantly strives to innovate. A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Industrial Design student at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD), Ong recently clinched second place at the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition 2025 with her cabinet design 'Loome'. It marked her third triumph in six months – she had bagged the 2024 Malaysian Interior Industry Partners Association (MIIP) Interior Industry Awards and the KL Selangor Furniture Association (KSFA) Golden Axe Awards 2024 earlier. The MIFF Furniture Design Competition, which began in the third quarter of 2024, concluded during the fair held from March 1 to 4 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. Ong's latest achievement earned her a cash prize of RM3,000, with the competition attracting a record-breaking 350 submissions from over 30 institutions across the region. APU students submitted four designs, two of which made it to the Top 20 finals. Adding sparkle to the awards ceremony was APU being crowned 'Best Institution' – a recognition of the university's commitment to innovation and excellence in industrial design, and its dedication to nurturing forward-thinking designers through SoMAD. Simply lit: Ong posing with a scaled-down model of her creation. The mentorship and guidance of faculty members Ivan Yeong Ming Hun, Liew Yong Kian and Eekang Ooi played a pivotal role in shaping the students' designs. Yeong represented APU on stage to receive the award from MIFF founder and chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat. Mentored by Ooi, a certified industrial designer, Ong created Loome as a cabinet series inspired by the fashion industry. The design challenges conventional furniture-making by replacing traditional hardwood or board with stretchable fabric. Aligned with the competition's 'Fashion-Inspired Furniture' theme, Loome allows users to switch out the outer fabric, customising their furniture based on seasons, moods or personal style. Beyond its functional versatility, Loome also doubles as an ambient lighting piece. The use of translucent, stretchable materials creates a soft, diffused glow, subtly revealing the cabinet's contents through a mist-like effect. This interplay of light and texture enhances the furniture's aesthetic appeal while redefining the boundaries of modern furniture design. SoMAD head Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan said the victory is a symbol of the passion, perseverance and creative spirit that defines the school's community. 'We are incredibly proud of our students and faculty members who showcased excellence at the MIFF 2025. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing our students shape the future of design with their groundbreaking ideas,' she said in a press release.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MIFF 2025 KICKS OFF AT FULL CAPACITY, SIGNALING A POWERFUL START TO ASIA'S FURNITURE BUYING SEASON
740+ Exhibitors Serve Global Furniture Buyers with Innovative Product Solutions KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2025 has officially opened its doors, igniting excitement and setting the stage for a dynamic furniture buying season in Asia. In a prestigious ceremony led by YB Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, representing YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantation and Commodities, MIFF 2025 unveiled its most ambitious edition yet, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in design, innovation, and sustainable practices. Spanning 100,000 square meters across the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), this year's event pulsates with the energy of 742 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions. This includes key players from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan region, India, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Approximately 20,000 visitors from over 140 countries and regions are expected, further solidifying MIFF's position as Southeast Asia's largest and most influential furniture trade event. Building on last year's record-breaking success of 715 exhibitors and USD 1.28 billion in on-site sales, MIFF 2025 is poised to catalyse another wave of business growth. More than just a trade show, MIFF is a strategic global marketplace where buyers gain unparalleled access to a diverse range of furniture, driving industry momentum forward. At the forefront of sustainability highlights in MIFF 2025 is the innovative Palm Loop technology by Panasonic Housing Solutions, Japan. This initiative allows furniture manufacturers to adopt eco-conscious practices by using high-quality furniture materials transformed from oil palm trunks. Key exhibitors, including Shantawood, Panelbase System Industries, Synergy Wood Products, Distinctive Fine Furniture, Estay Furniture, SLK Furniture Design, Sincerity Furniture, and Yeu Hong Furniture Industries, are leading the way in implementing this sustainable solution. MIFF 2025 introduces multiple showcase platforms that push creative boundaries. The xOrdinary Showcase, themed "Play," challenges conventional furniture design, while the inaugural KL iDesign Week, in partnership with Guangzhou Design Week, elevates Asian design onto the global stage. "MIFF's dedication to nurturing the next generation of furniture designers and connecting them with industry players creates an environment where creativity thrives and business opportunities flourish," said Dato' Tan Chin Huat, MIFF Founder and Chairman. "This blend of commerce and creativity makes MIFF a driving force for innovation." At WTCKL, attendees will experience the MIFF-MIFD International Luxury Residence Design Showcase that merges luxury with functionality. Furthermore, MIFF OFFICE stands out as Southeast Asia's largest office furniture exhibition, presenting cutting-edge solutions tailored for modern workspaces. On March 3, the prestigious MIFF Awards Ceremony will celebrate excellence in the industry, recognising outstanding contributions through accolades such as the Best Presentation Award (BPA) and Furniture Excellence Award (FEA). Beyond exhibitions, MIFF 2025 offers valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities through seminars led by industry experts, while events like the Buyers' Night facilitate connections among attendees and exhibitors alike. With its continued partnership with the Muar Furniture Association (MFA), MIFF provides a robust platform for promoting Malaysia's furniture industry and enhancing global export opportunities. Committed to meeting evolving market demands, MIFF is recognised as one of the leading B2B trade platforms in the world and the top in Southeast Asia. Further enhancing the visitor experience, MIFF 2025 introduces the upgraded MIFF Furniverse App 2.0, which serves as a personal digital assistant, offering seamless navigation, comprehensive exhibitor information, and real-time updates to help buyers connect with the MIFF community. MIFF 2025's ambitious vision manifests across every aspect of the event – from its record-breaking size and participation to its pioneering sustainability initiatives, technological integration, and commitment to design excellence. This edition doesn't just continue MIFF's legacy; it boldly reinvents itself for a new era of furniture design, manufacturing, and global trade. For more details on exhibitors, products, and free shuttle services, visit or follow Furnish Now by MIFF on Facebook for exclusive updates. To contact the MIFF Team, email: info@ Notes to Editors About MIFF ( MIFF is Southeast Asia's largest and leading export-oriented furniture trade show, showcasing the widest selection of Malaysian-made wooden, home, and office furniture. Since 1995, MIFF has been a one-stop platform connecting a wider community of 20,000+ buyers from 140 countries and regions. MIFF is organised by Informa Markets which is a part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organiser in the world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF)
