Ciggie Break: When to Step Away & Be Inspired

A Blast from the Past: Fashion Shoots & Forgotten Charm at Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur

During my time at the Heritage Station Hotel Kuala Lumpur, nestled within the iconic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, I witnessed the beauty of a fading gem. The building, a stunning example of British colonial architecture, was once the heart of Malaysia’s railway system but had seen better days. Despite its unkept state in the late 2000s, its grandeur still shone through, making it the perfect backdrop for high-fashion photography.

One of the memorable collaborations was with Fabrique, led by the talented Calvin Cheong, for a striking fashion shoot in 2009. The hotel’s worn-out elegance—peeling paint, vintage staircases, and grand archways—added a raw, cinematic quality to the images. Models draped in avant-garde designs contrasted beautifully against the timeworn walls, proving that beauty thrives even in decay.

FASHION SHOOT IN A HERITAGE BUILDING

DATE : Monday - March 16, 2009 (Posted)

LOCATION : The Heritage Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (The KL Train Station Kuala Lumpur)

PHOTO SHOOT : Fabrique (Calvin Cheong)

Fun Facts About the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Built in 1910, the station was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, the same architect behind the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

• It once served as the main railway hub before being overshadowed by KL Sentral.
• The structure blends Mughal, Moorish, and Neo-Gothic styles, a rare fusion in Malaysian architecture.
• Despite its decline, it remains a heritage site, protected for its historical significance.

Looking back, those years at the Heritage Station Hotel were a testament to how history and creativity can collide in the most unexpected ways. Even as the building faded, it became a canvas for art—proof that some places only grow more captivating with time.

#KualaLumpurHeritage #FashionPhotography #AbandonedButBeautiful #MalaysianHistory #TravelThrowback