The Bold, The Black & The Brilliant | What went down at The Black Party 2025

Well-curated, immersive spaces were explored at The Black Party 2025, where visionary Malaysian designers united in celebration of creativity, collaboration and connection

Text by Monisha Sivanesan

Last Thursday evening, on 20th November 2025, the stylish, industrial backdrop of Edenmill by Metal Bees, located in Petaling Jaya, surrendered itself to an irresistible current of audacious imagination and obsidian glamour better known as The Black Party 2025. Unfolded in spectacular fashion, the exclusive ACGMEDIA affair, conceived as a tribute to design and the industry’s most influential tastemakers, gathered and honoured 100 visionary designers whose work has shaped Malaysia’s design industry with their restless pursuit of beauty and innovation. It was a lively celebration through an immersive demonstration whereby art, design and connection collided dramatically across an intimate showcase conceived to delight the guests who swept inside at 6pm, all cloaked in a bold take on black to match the event’s aesthetic manifesto.

It was curated by five leading creative forces. They comprise IDr James Yong, the founder and chief executive designer of interlink design solutions; IDr Leong Wei Theng, the creative director of Metrics Global; Matthew Lim, the principal of Matthew Lim Associates; Vienna Chew, the design director of Millimetre Design Sdn Bhd; and Jemica Cheah, the co-founder and creative director of What Design.

With the spirit of teamwork, each curator transformed the space into an immersive tapestry featuring a diverse array of products from all 13 participating brand collaborators: Atlas Plan, Ligne Roset, Amazon, WinPod, KLOT, TECE, Roche Bobois, HVEA, Q Innovatio Lighting Solutions, Ilmugaya, Global Titanium Coating Sdn Bhd, Home Master TDS Sdn Bhd and Energy Glass World Art Sdn Bhd.

From a swarm of metal butterflies glowing against earth-coloured marble (due to movable LED bulbs) to multipatterned, multihued furniture set-ups that exude vibrant personality and warm comfort, all the different parts of the showcase came together seamlessly to ensure the most immersive guest experience ever.

Needless to say, the final result was a bold, sophisticated design playground where form and function flirted freely. What made The Black Party 2025 extra special though was the design-centred interactivity occurring at every level—between designers and products, between designers and brands as well as between designers and designers.

On that note, notable designers present included Datuk Ar. Tan Pei Ing of PI Architect, Ar. Ts. IDr Rien Tan of TKCA Architects, Ar. Alan Teh of Atelier Alan Teh Architect (AATA), Ar. Melvyn Kanny of MJ Kanny Architect, Ar. Fabian Tan of Fabian Tan Architect and Ng Sek San of Seksan Design.

Likewise, multiple DOTY Award winners such as the Nevermore Group, DTLM Design Group, Nu Infinity Sdn Bhd, Rice Design Sdn Bhd, Goldfields Concept and Northmos came out to celebrate too. Also in attendance were Angela Donvito, the Trade Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency-Kuala Lumpur (ITA); Ar. Alvin Lim Hai Seah, Council Member of Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM); and Filippo Bertoni, Head of Interior Design for KL Pavilion Design Studio and, not to mention, past DOTY judge.

In the later part of the evening, once a delicious Italian-themed dinner was served, ACGMEDIA CEO Alvin Chang came up to the stage and delivered a warm welcome address, sharing the heartfelt pride he and his team felt in bringing The Black Party 2025 to life. His uplifting words set the tone for a celebration rooted in community, collaboration and the sheer joy of design.

Soon after, ACGMEDIA Director Juliet Hong stepped into the spotlight to present a certificate of appreciation to each curator and each brand collaborator, honouring their exceptional contributions that made this highly anticipated showcase not just possible, but unforgettable. The ambiance surged soon after, powered by the magnetic rhythms of DJ Jake Chow, founder of Dot Works. His curated beats electrified the room, where guests mingled well into the night with beer, wine or whisky in hand as conversations shifted from creative passions to design futures.

If there’s one thing The Black Party 2025 proved, it’s that the Malaysian design scene is an everflowing foundation of inspirational energy and creative vision that dares to keep charging forward.

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