KUALA LUMPUR: Renowned fashion designer Datuk Rizalman Ibrahim excels in philanthropy as much as he does in creativity.
The "designer for the stars" plans to assist food entrepreneurs as well as low-income families hard hit by the Movement Control Order (MCO).
In an Instagram post yesterday, the 49-year-old fashion designer said that he wanted to purchase food products from the entrepreneurs, especially those in the Klang Valley, and distribute them to low-income families in the region.
Rizalman said: "To all food entrepreneurs whose businesses have been badly hit by the MCO, I have decided to work with you, to help needy families around the Klang Valley. This will be a boost to your businesses, and will also help the families during the coming Ramadan."
He added: "I plan to purchase products from you, pay for them and subsequently distribute them to all needy families in the region."
Rizalman said that entrepreneurs and volunteers keen on joining his project could directly message him at @rizalman71.
His post garnered more than 13,000 likes, and Netizens praised his idea as "timely and noble". Many of them also described the fashion designer as an exemplary Malaysian who cared for the less fortunate.
In August last year, Rizalman said that he had plans to establish a Quran learning centre in Johor Baru, specially for adults.
It was under the auspices of his foundation, Yayaysan RI.
Rizalman graduated from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam in 1995, with a degree in art and fashion design.
His best known clients include singers Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Dayang Nurfaizah and Anuar Zain, actor Fahrin Ahmad, and actress Fauziah Ahmad Daud.
Throughout his 25-year career, he has won numerous fashion design awards include the Mercedes-Benz Asian Fashion Award at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards 2004.
In October last year, Rizalman was appointed to the UiTM board of directors.