More than dressing up the Malaysian who’s who, local fashion designers have a collection of remarkable creations and avant-garde talents that truly have put our country on the map. From ready-to-wear to haute couture, dazzling gowns to traditional garments, here are some of our favourites creating waves on the international realm.

Rizman Ruzaini
Rizman Ruzaini showcased what 18 years of experience in creating breathtaking fashion looks like when they presented their Spring Summer 2024 collection on the last day of Dubai Fashion Week in October last year. Consisting of 60 delicately designed and intricately made demi-couture pieces, the collection was donned by beautiful models from around the world, including Malaysia’s own favourites - Tinie and Deedee Nash. The show climaxed as world renowned supermodel Naomi Campbell took to the runway with her signature walk, wearing an intricately exquisite handmade gown featuring thousands of gemstones, much to the amazement of the audience. As the designers Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Jamil took their bow, hand-in-hand with Ms. Campbell, the show venue in the Dubai Design District ruptured into a roaring applause closing a week of celebrating fashion and creativity.

Farah Khan
Farah Khan’s namesake label is known for its’ bright, funky and modern, ready-to-wear designs that are meant for sophisticated women on the go. The vision for the outifts created was so that it can fit effortlessly into your suitcase only to be unpacked without a crease and is easily hung up to be worn later. Taking inspiration from her own sense of style that is chic and stylish, any creation from this label could be worn for parties and even big events such as weddings and galas. Another outstanding feature of this brand is that each design created is named after a famous person. So one may request to wear the Anna Kournikova, Kimora Lee Simmons, Maria Sharapova, Paris Hilton and Rashida Jones, all of whom, have been spotted wearing Farah Khan dresses to major events.

Khoon Hooi
Fashion designer Khoon Hooi, who hails from Perak, launched his own label in 1999, 6 years after graduating from the Malaysian Institute of Art. In those 6 years, he spent his time honing his fashion skills in competitions where he eventually cinched his first award as runner-up for the Malaysian Young Designer Award in 1996. From then to now, Khoon Hooi’s talents and reach has grown further and further. A-lister chart-topping American singer Katy Perry adorned a gorgeous soft yellow creation during a Jingle Ball concert in Minnesota. The singer was particularly drawn to the embellished gown from its Spring 2020 collection as it featured a giant bow. Hollywood actresses Karen Pittman and Ginnifer Goodwin were also decked out in Khoon Hooi’s extravagant gowns for the Golden Globes.

Carven Ong
Who could ever forget the luxurious, glittery, tiered wedding dress from the highly iconic wedding scene in Hollywood’s ‘Crazy Rich Asians’? Conceptualized by the movie’s costume designer Mary E Vogt, Malaysian couturier - Carven Ong helped bring the legendary wedding gown to life. He also created the bride-to-be’s golden jumpsuit in the bachelorette party scenes. Ong also designed the national costume for Miss Universe Malaysia - Shweta Sekhon, showcasing a bold, winged costume inspired by Peranakan culture.

Bernard Chandran
Bernard Chandran graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from The Paris American Academy. He was the first non-European (and first Malaysian) designer to win the “Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000” in 1991. Recently having celebrated 30 years in the fashion industry, Chandran is quite rightly crowned as Malaysia’s “King of Fashion,” as his dresses have been seen on a few Hollywood superstars such as singers Estelle, Lady Gaga, and even our own LA-based Malaysian sweetheart - actress Michelle Yeoh. Chandran was also the head judge on 8TV channel’s 2007 installment of Project Runway Malaysia, and a guest judge in Britain’s Next Top Model, Cycle 6.