He will exhibit 15 paintings, 12 of which will be printed on clothes that are Islamic in design at the Asia House London for five days from April 3.

The 67-year-old professor of Universiti Teknologi Mara, who is also a sculptor, said that preparing for the solo art exhibition had given him the chance to “interpret my paintings into wearable art”.

Yusof, in an interview at his gallery here, said he would be collaborating with his son Muhammad Zaki, the managing director of Sofearose, an Islamic fashion house based in Petaling Jaya.

He said the selected paintings would be printed on peplum dresses, long dresses with capes, long skirts, “abaya”, cardigans and kimonos.

Yusof, whose career spans over three decades, has held exhibitions all over the world, including in Berlin, Moscow, Washington, San Francisco, Singapore, Jakarta, Tokyo and Madrid. However, this will be his first “art to wear” show.

Malaysian ambassador to the United Kingdom Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi will open the exhibition which is the fifth in the ‘Segerak’ (Simultaneous) series.

Yusof hopes to attract about 10,000 people, both locals and Malaysians in London.

Zaki said the show with the concept of Art to Wear would give a better understanding of Islamic fashion which could be sophisticated and suitable, not only for Muslims, but everyone.

“We want to impress on people that Islamic fashion is something that everyone can go for … It is modest fashion… simple yet sophisticated,” he said.

He believes that London is the perfect venue to export local culture globally.

“It can be a new platform for the Art to Wear industry in Malaysia.”

Zaki, who quit his job as a pharmacist a few years back to concentrate on fashion, said there were many foreigners among his clients.

They include buyers from New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, France, Russia and Australia.

“Some buy via post, others online and still others come personally to my shop,” said Zaki, who advertises on the Internet and occasionally holds exhibitions.