The Malaysia International Pen Show 2025

What an honour it was to attend the first ever Malaysia International Pen Show. Set in the stunning city of Kuala Lumpur and hosted by Pen Gallery. The show was on the weekend of the 27th & 28th September 2025, located in the One World Hotel.

The hotel is also attached to the 1Utama shopping mall, making it more alluring to locals and international customers alike. One group I spoke to were travelling together in a group of 40 from the Philippines!

On the first day, I wasn't too sure what to expect. My usual haunts are the Chester or London Pen Shows or StationeryFest. With the furthest I have travelled for a pen show being the Dutch Pen Show in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The traditional UK Pen Shows have a completely different vibe compared to StationeryFest and also very different retailers. So, I was really curious and excited to see what kind of show MIPS would be.

The show's energy was beyond higher than my expectations. Before the show began, Mr Lai of Pen Gallery (our host!) hopped on a microphone to give all of the vendors a huge thank you for their support plus a high energy pep talk. 

This really started the day off on the right foot. With everyone now feeling the positivity and excitement, it was time for our guests to arrive. Within the hour, the room was flooded with eager pen and stationery enthusiasts. Although I was working, I couldn't wait to join them when my break time arrived.

My MIPS 2025 haul

I bought some fountain pens too but I gave them out as gifts so no photos I'm afraid.

Over the weekend, Lai and Hannah appeared on the mic to give information about retailers and also to announce the competition winners. Each stall had their own stamp created by artist and retailer Catdoo. Each stamp needed to be collected on a bingo-esque card in order to enter the competition. There was then multiple draws per day and every winner won a goodie bag full of stationery treasures.

After day one, I was able to browse the 1Utama Shopping Mall, got lost a few times and then located the bouldering gym. I managed to visit their "Secret Garden", tucked away on the roof terrace and only open to the public on weekends and holidays.

Afterwards, I grabbed a few snacks from Aeon before calling it a night and heading back to my room.

Day two was much like the first except now all the vendors were familiar faces to me. It was a little quieter than the first day, it gave me time to practice my calligraphy in between helping out on Pen Gallery's table. My forte is definitely ink so it was super interesting to learn more about fountain pens from people who really know their stuff. 

The day closed with special offers and discounts from vendors, all announced via the mic of course! The show's energy was maintained until the very end. Leaving the show behind was quite emotional for me. Pen Gallery were the best hosts I could have hoped for. They made sure I was well fed and hydrated, offering local cuisine on my breaktimes. The food was so delicious I still day dream about it now.

I also want to give a special mention to the staff of Pen Gallery. Most notably Hannah, Siti and Faz. I really feel that I have made friends for life, their hospitality and kindness is to this day unmatched. For someone who had travelled 6,648 miles away from home, I truly felt like I belonged.

Another shoutout, this time to my friends from Endless Stationery. We ventured into the city together for shawarma and sight seeing.

Please can we appreciate the music videos in the taxi, unreal!

For my last full day in Malaysia, I visited Pen Gallery's physical store.

This was actually my first time visiting a store which is dedicated to fountain pens and inks. I hung out with familiar faces from the show.

Including the famous Nib Shaper, Master Nagahara. Another pinch me moment!

I tried my first ever Nasi Lemak Sambal and the familiar Satay Chicken (I would have kept the plate if I could).

I left the store with the coolest and most sentimental gifts. 

A drawing from Uncle Boom, allegedly of me.

My first Sailor Studio ink from Sri, we chose a deep yellow/peach colour together as yellow is her favourite ink colour.

Another ink, direct from the founder himself. A Philippines located brand which maybe I wouldn't have discovered otherwise. Super cool colour!

Just know that if I was a local, this is where you would find me. Slightly envious that I don't have this available to me locally!

After my fleeting visit, it was time to try the fruit I had heard all about and even made an ink on... Durian!

Lai, Hannah and I headed to the Durian Mart where they treated me to my first. The smell is somewhat similar to a gas leak back home and the taste was like nothing I have tried before. The verdict? I liked it!

I feel as though I matched the colour quite well!

Next up, we travelled to a local café to try Cendol, another ink colour I have matched. Plus Kopi O Kaw, a very sweet black coffee.

Thank you to Hannah and Lai for an amazing time.

We returned back to the Pen Gallery where I was collected by two of their sons and Janice (yes their whole family is really that sweet) and we headed to a night market.

A brief food haul:

They dropped me back at 1Utama as I had one last wish; to climb in a bouldering gym in Malaysia. It was the largest gym I have been to (yet!).

I stuck to one project and finally managed to complete it before I left and met some cool people in the process.

I headed to bed to prepare myself for the 17 hour journey home ahead.

So, would I visit the Malaysia International Pen Show again? Yes. 1000 times over.