KUALA LUMPUR: The Mercedes-Benz-Stylo Fashion Grand Prix KL 2013 kicked off in style with the theme "Mannequin Fantasies".

Held at the new Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, the much-anticipated week-long festival simultaneously launched the impending Asia Fashion Week (AFW) and the Rainforest Fashion Initiative (RFI).

Guests at yesterday's event included Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland Folger as well as Stylo International CEO and president Datuk Nancy Yeoh.

They were joined by president and CEO of Ireka Properties Lai Voon Hon, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia managing director Soren Ravn and Visa country manager for Malaysia Stuart Tomlinson.

The night also witnessed Choo presenting the Mercedes-Benz Stylo Fashion Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr Ng for her contributions to the country's fashion industry.

In his speech, Folger said Mercedes-Benz was committed to the promotion of haute couture.

Yeoh described Fashion Grand Prix 2013 as being "definitely bigger and better in terms of designs and ideas".

The evening's highlight was the AFW designers fashion showcase featuring S Nine from Hong Kong, Sapto Djojokartik from Indonesia, and Eric Delos Santos from the Philippines, with Malaysian representatives Alvin Tay, Justin Yap, Kashfi Zulkifli, Amir Luqman and Ezuwan Ismail.

This year's fashion week is presented by Mercedes-Benz and Starwood Hotels & Resorts together with Stylo International. The Star is the official media partner.