Gifted children showcase their artwork in fashion show

Eight gifted children with autism showcased their artwork in a fashion show held at Dorsett Grand Subang Hotel in Subang Jaya on March 30, 2019.

The fashion show featured exquisite silhouettes – each design ingeniously displaying the fascinating artwork by the children aged 5-19.

“We want to create awareness and change mindsets in schools, neighbourhoods and in society about children with autism. We want Malaysians to reflect and appreciate the depth of talent exhibited by this gifted group of children with autism and at the same time, generate income for the children and their families,” said JK Signature founder and designer Jayakumar Vanialingam.

Jayakumar, who was named Most Promising Designer at Borneo Fashion Week 2018, created the artwork by the children into a stylish and exciting fashion collection for Autism RuL3s Fashion, a community project in joint collaboration with Persama-2gether4autism, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Jayakumar is also an official associate of Persama-2gether4autism.

The collection was sold at the event and proceeds channelled to Persama-2gether4autism, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Paintings by the talented artists were also auctioned off with proceeds handed directly to the children’s families.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, partners and associates who stepped up to help us with this project for a good cause,” said Jayakumar.

The event, open to the public also saw see exhibitions and workshops by children and families from the autism community.

Founded in 2012, Persama-2gether4autism is a NGO that caters to gifted children of multi-ethnic groups, especially autism. The organisation helps families from the B40 (low-income) category through the provision of specially-curated therapies to assist the needs of these underperforming but gifted children. It is actively running sponsored art therapy programmes for children.