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Each year, thousands of Gulf Arab families pack the sidewalk cafes and shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur, with many women wearing the trademark black abaya, the flowing robe that covers them from head to toe.

Now Malaysia wants to deploy the fashion industry to help capture these tourist dollars.

"Fashion has the potential to attract big amounts of foreign revenue for the country, especially elements such as batik and Islamic fashion, which are elements that have begun to turn heads around the world," junior tourism minister Donald Lim said at the launch of the Malaysian fashion week

The moderate price of most Malaysian fashion was a key element of its appeal, said Nut Teh, one of eight young designers at the event, as models dressed in her brightly-colored, Pop Art based designs sashayed down the catwalk.

"The big international brand names are for the people who can afford them," she said. "But youngsters are looking to try out new fashions, so I feel they are willing to try out new ideas."

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"It has a lot of passion put into it, and they like that, they appreciate art," she said, adding: "To me my couture line is more like my art presentation."

Although Islam requires women to cover their bodies and hair in public, Looi said Middle Eastern buyers were snapping up revealing, sexy gowns which most of their clients wear at women-only parties or while entertaining at home.

"It's always a ladies' affair. It's among ladies and they love to do that, they love to show off," added Looi, whose family was in the tailoring business.

Each year, thousands of Gulf Arab families pack the sidewalk cafes and shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur, with many women wearing the trademark black abaya, the flowing robe that covers them from head to toe.

Now Malaysia wants to deploy the fashion industry to help capture these tourist dollars.

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"I think that the way that we live, and the way that they live, are quite similar, so they have a huge interest in Malaysian-developed fashion brands."

Evening gowns and formal wear are the most popular types of clothing, said San, who launched his first boutique in Kuala Lumpur in 1996.

Mainly Muslim Malaysia is a favorite holiday destination for wealthy Gulf Arabs and the country, seeking to boost its tourism revenues, is going all out to welcome them. The government expects tourist arrivals from the Middle East to hit a record 300,000 figure this year, almost double the figure of last year.

REVEAL AND CONCEAL

Melinda Looi, another established Malaysian designer, said Middle Eastern clients were drawn to her couture line because of its intricate designs and detailed handiwork.

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Malaysian designers say Middle Eastern buyers, especially those from the oil producing Gulf region currently flush with petrodollars, appreciate the way the garments match their lifestyle and largely traditional culture, which require women to be modestly dressed in public.

"They are the biggest consumers of fashion," said Sonny San, one of the best-known names in Malaysian fashion, who estimates that almost half the revenues of his "eclipse" label came from its six outlets in the Middle East.

"Now with the oil prices going up to $100 a barrel, the Gulf has the most disposable income," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Malaysian International Fashion Week in Kuala Lumpur.

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The show, set to air Dec. 4 on CBS, was taping at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday. Will.i.am was filling in for West, said Hillary Siskind, publicist for the Black Eyed Peas frontman.

The Spice Girls were scheduled to make their debut reunion performance on the show.

West's mother, Donda West, 58, died Saturday night at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center in Marina del Rey after she stopped breathing. She had undergone cosmetic surgery Friday in Los Angeles and had gone home.

An autopsy was conducted, but an official cause of death won't be made for at least 1 1/2 months, pending further tests, the coroner's office has said.

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This past September, Williams competed in the U.S. Open wearing her "V-Court" sneaker designed for Steve & Barry, which retails for $14.98. The extensive shoe collection she designed, with many different styles and colors to choose from, are a highlight of the EleVen collection.

All items in the sporty collection, which include long sleeve logo t-shirts, track suits, shorts, sports bras, sunglasses, visors and outerwear, are priced under $19.98. The low price point is a Steve & Barry signature.

The Venus Williams EleVen collection will be a ongoing fixture in the store, with new items continually added.

Williams' stop in New York is the beginning of a 10 day tour to celebrate the launch. She stops in stores across the country starting Nov. 16, when she arrives in Chicago and will end it in Los Angeles on Nov. 25.

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To celebrate the launch, Williams did and in-store appearance at the chain store's Manhattan Mall location in New York on Thurs., Nov. 15, where she signed autographs for excited fans who lined up outside the store for a chance to meet the top-ranked athlete, who has U.S. Open and Wimbledon titles to her name.

"I didn't even know she was going to be here, I'm just a shopaholic," laughed Wanjiru Machua of Brooklyn, who said she started shopping at Steve & Barry after the Sarah Jessica Parker collection launched, and said she regularly checks their website for new items. "But I'm very, very impressed. Her clothing line is beautiful! I love the cut of the jackets and the pants, and the sneakers are great for everyday and the gym. And I love her personality! Some little girls stopped by to say hello, and she just came over and gave them a hug."