Furniture World News Desk on
10/29/2025
The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) has announced a new integrated design ecosystem aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s furniture design capabilities. The initiative is anchored by three programs: the MIFF Furniture Design Competition (MIFF FDC) 2026, the MIFF FDC CLUB, and the xOrdinary Design Exhibition 2026.
MIFF FDC 2026 is now open for entries under the theme “Playful. Practical. Purposeful: Furniture for Generation Alpha.” The competition invites designers under the age of 40 to create bedroom furniture for children aged 5–9. Prizes totaling RM12,000, along with trophies and recognition awards, will be given to winning entries. The submission deadline is 1 December 2025. Entries may be submitted via mifffdc.com.
“This is about designing for the future consumer,” said Dr Eric Leong, Chief Judge of MIFF FDC. “The competition encourages fresh ideas that not only respond to how children live and learn today but also enhance Malaysia’s design reputation globally.”
To build continuity beyond the competition, MIFF has introduced the MIFF FDC CLUB. The platform supports networking, curated partnerships, and content development under three pillars: CONNECT, SELECT, and EDIT. The initiative is intended to pair young designers with manufacturers and includes activities such as facility tours and prototype development.
Through the SELECT program, five designers from previous MIFF FDC editions were recently matched with local manufacturers. These collaborations are scheduled to debut as product designs at MIFF 2026. An MOU ceremony for the program took place on 10 October 2025 at MITEC Kuala Lumpur and was witnessed by key figures from MIFF and the Muar Furniture Association.
“While MIFF FDC discovers emerging talent, the MIFF FDC CLUB ensures that talent thrives beyond the competition. Together, they form a complete pipeline from creativity to commerce,” said Kelie Lim, General Manager of MIFF.
MIFF 2026 will also feature the fifth edition of the xOrdinary Design Exhibition, themed “Happiness.” This platform allows independent designers to present unconventional ideas and lifestyle concepts. Applications are open via email at [email protected].
Together, these programs aim to support Malaysia’s transition from OEM to ODM and OBM manufacturing, aligning with the goals of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030).
MIFF 2026 will take place from 4–7 March 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). For details on MIFF FDC and FDC CLUB, visit mifffdc.com. For more on xOrdinary, visit xordinary.com.my.
About MIFF
MIFF is the largest and leading export-oriented furniture trade show in Southeast Asia, showcasing the widest collection of Made-in-Malaysia wooden furniture, home furniture, and office furniture. Since 1995, MIFF is a one-stop platform connecting a wider community of 20,000+ buyers from 140 countries and regions. MIFF is organised by Informa Markets, which is a part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organiser in the world. For more information, visit miff.com.my.
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