Volkswagen Malaysia celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Volkswagen Polo

Mr Armin Keller with Vincent Paul Yong

Aside from launching the Volkswagen Polo Club edition last week Volkswagen Malaysia threw a photo exhibition, a fashion show and a dance party all at once. I attended the event last friday. Only for a short while before little ol' me decided to call it a night. I suddenly felt all forty three years of my life even though the party brought me back to my twenties.  The heart was willing, but the body was dead tired (after three launch/events from morning till after the sun had set). 

Anyway, Volkswagen Group Malaysia celebrated 40 years of Polo by collaborating with local photographer Vincent Paul Yong Photography, better known as VPYP. Vincent brings alive this classic car’s exciting personality through a Polo exhibit where he coated the car in chrome and showcased a photo series featuring DJ duo LapSap and illustrations by Cloakwork.

The exhibition launch at APW on 21 August included Pearly Wong’s SS16 fashion show and LapSap taking on the decks.

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Volkswagen celebrates 40 years of the Polo

Ms Martina Berg, Mr Armin Keller, and Mr Robert McAllister

(21 August 2015) The Volkswagen Polo is German engineering at its best in a fun sized package and this year it’s celebrating its 40th birthday.  This hatchback made its first appearance in 1975 and has since gained a legion of fans.

Currently in its fifth generation, the Polo hatchback is one of the brand’s top-selling passenger cars around the world and in 2014, Malaysia introduced the locally assembled Polo making it more affordable and accessible. Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia commented “To date, the status of the Polo in Malaysia is unmatched. With over 13,000 units sold it is no wonder that this practical, yet fun car has captured the hearts of Malaysians. It’s agile but solid performance results in a drive best suited for KL’s busy roads as well as long highways. “

In Malaysia, the Volkswagen team decided to celebrate this milestone by collaborating with established fashion lifestyle photographer Vincent Paul Yong Photography (VPYP) to produce a photo series that showcases the driving fun with the car.  

Self-taught photographer Vincent has brought the Polo to live with a photo-story highlighting a day in the life of DJ duo LAPSAP and includes illustrations by graffiti artist Cloakwork. This exciting collaboration emphasizes the spirit of the colourful spirit of the Polo. The images were revealed at an launch event at APW titled WYSIWYG- What You See Is What You Get.

The VPYP photo exhibition featuring the Polo will be on showcase from 21 to 30 August 2015 for the public to view.

In conjunction with the Polo’s 40th anniversary, Volkswagen Malaysia is pleased to announce the introduction of the Polo Club that will feature a multimedia head unit with navigation and window tint. The Polo Club will be available at RM88,888 and the Polo Sedan Club at RM89,888 while stocks last.  

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Volkwagen Malaysia collaborates with Alia Bastamam at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear 2015

Every year, there is something called the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week. Of course not every motorhead or petrolhead is aware of this or truly bothers about this as they are usually in love with their cars instead of clothes. But anyway, the Fashion Week happens every year and it showcases Malaysian fashion. Not many cars involved usually but this year, Volkswagen has decided to connect directly into the fashion crowd by collaborating with homegrown couturier Alia Bastamam at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear 2015 (KLFW RTW 2015). 

This marks Volkswagen's entry into the fashion world and fits well with the brand DNA which is known for its timeless design and good performance. According to the good people at Volkswagen Malaysia, KLFW RTW  has demonstrated that it is a great platform to feature creativity and ingenuity. So this time, Volkswagen has decided to become the Official Car Sponsor this year and to celebrate their debut, decided to showcase their most iconic (and therefore recognisable) designs with the Beetle, Golf R, and CC. 

They also previewed a new limited run Volkwagen Beetle called the Club. The Beetle Club in Hanabero Orange was proudly on display at the entrance of Pavillion Kuala Lumpur throughout the KLFW 2015 (i.e. the whole of last week). I suppose if any of you ended up there, you would have noticed that Beetle. Now you know it is another limited run variant. Much like the Bug edition launched recently too.

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HONEST, SIMPLE AND SOLID
Volkwagen Malaysia collaborates with Alia Bastamam at 
Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear 2015

13 AUGUST 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Malaysia is looking to connect with fashion enthusiasts through its collaboration with homegrown couturier Alia Bastamam at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week Ready to Wear 2015 (KLFW RTW 2015). 

This marks the brand’s entry into the fashion world and fits well with the brand DNA which is known for its timeless design and good performance. “Over the years, KLFW RTW has demonstrated that it is a great platform to feature creativity and ingenuity. We are very happy to be the Official Car Sponsor this year and celebrate our debut, by showcasing our iconic designs with the Beetle, Golf R, and CC,” says Ms. Martina Berg, Marketing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia.

In addition, fans of the iconic Beetle are treated to an exclusive sneak preview of the Beetle Club in Habanero Orange which is displayed at the entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur through the course of KL Fashion Week.

Commenting on the collaboration with Alia Bastamam, “Alia is unquestionably one of the most established local designer, whose commitment to timeless and solid design perfectly complements our own philosophies. We are delighted to be exclusively debuting her Spring/Summer 2016 designs at the Volkswagen Fashion Night with Alia Bastamam runway show,” she adds.

“I am honoured to be collaborating with an iconic brand that I personally admire. It is amazing that we share an interesting thread of commonality,” Alia says. 

In the previous seasons, Alia dove into a permanent night, where blinding glamour ruled the collections in rich fabrication, sequins, fine lace and hand sewn embellishments. For Spring/Summer 2016, Alia puts that luxury away and pares down the offerings - she comes back to the lightness that inspired her to start the eponymous label when she debuted with a Resort collection in 2011.
"Fresh and hopeful," she says, "are what I want this collection to be. I want to bring back that ease and comfort for my clients because that's why I came into this industry in the first place - to design and create pieces that I would want to wear myself."

A lighter palette lays a calm over the Spring/Summer 2016 mood where 'light and bright' are key. Where there were luxurious fabrics and embellishments, Alia finds a replacement that makes the Alia B. and Alia Bastamam collections more appealing to an all-inclusive panorama of women. Pleated fabric becomes the focal point for the latest Alia Bastamam offering - an edged play to the pastel shades of butter and lilac. Loose silhouettes and string details give a free and undone ease for a slight bohemian tone. 

"Over the years, we've garnered a wider customer base and it's our responsibility to offer something for everyone. So for SS16, I'm including design for the modest woman. I love them and I love how they make modest fashion fresh and chic - I want to be a part of that for them because they've been so supportive of our brand," she adds. 

Spring/Summer 2016 would be Alia's 16th and 17th collections in her five years. To celebrate those five years, here is a collection that is close to the heart of the brand; sending out positive vibes that was previously outshone by ultra-glamour.

All shoes are especially designed for the show by Lewre Bespoke

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