Malaysia - High fashion designer Khoon Hooi was named Designer of the Year at the Mercedes Benz STYLO fashion awards gala evening here yesterday.

Khoon Hooi had on Tuesday showcased an extraordinary Chinois collection at the Fashion's Tribute to 1Malaysia gala evening.

"I am shocked, very happy and honoured. This is the first time that I've been named Designer of the Year and by such a prestigious fashion festival.

"I will definitely work harder and not disappoint anyone," he said when met yesterday.

Last night's gala also saw the naming of the inaugural Mercedes Benz STYLO Emerging Designers Award winner.

Saw Boey Guan of SML Fashion Design School beat six others to become the first winner of the award.

The student, who did not expect to win, said he was overwhelmed with joy.

"Words cannot describe how happy and grateful I am. This is really unexpected because my fellow participants were all very good," said the teary-eyed Saw.

Saw awed the panel of judges with his outrageous collection that depicted "the sin of vanity."

Other awards that were given out yesterday were Model of the Year which was won by Angie Ng and Fashion's Tribute to 1Malaysia Best Adaptation which went to Datuk Tom Abang Saufi.

Serbian designer Marko Mitanovski hit the runway with his "Lady Macbeth" collection, that included pieces worn by American superstar Lady Gaga.

Mitanovski was one of three designers who presented their collections at London Fashion Week's "Ones to Watch" show late last year.

Among those present were Star Publications (M) Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam, ambassador of Sweden H.E Helena Sangeland, and ambassador of Croatia H.E Zeljko Bosnjak.

mStar was the official media for the evening.

Ngiam presented the Fashion's Tribute to 1Malaysia Best Adaptation award to Tom Abang Saufi.