Page 160 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

152 THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Carven Ong focuses on bridal wear and has also designed couture items featured in the Hollywood film Crazy Rich Asians. His black and white gown design for Miss Malaysia Universe 2020 is shown here.
and RTW designer, dresses
queens and princesses.
• Carven Ong, whose
self-named Couture and Wedding Specialist is supported by his lines Carven and Carven Sense. His creations were worn by the stars in the 2018 Crazy Rich Asians movie, and by Miss Malaysia at Miss Universe 2019 and 2020/21 pageant.
• Khoon Hooi, whose
clothes scream feminine romance and youthful sexiness, as worn by Katy Perry, Karen Pittman and Ginnifer Goodwin.
• Bill Keith, founder of the Asian Designers Guild (ADG), known for his edgy yet traditional interpretations of qipaos and kebayas.
• Melinda Looi, president of Malaysian Official Designers Association (MODA) and an avant-garde designer with a huge international clientele.
• Bon Zainal, founder and advisor of the Malaysian Bumiputra Designers’ Association (MBDA), and an established image consultant and menswear designer.
• Rasta Rashid, president of the Malaysian Bumiputra Designers’ Association (MBDA) and designer of
her brand Batek.
• Faisol Abdullah, who
designed the most expensive dress in
the world, valued at RM100 million and encrusted with 751 diamonds weighing over 1,100 carats.
Other designers who have made a major contribution to the Malaysian fashion industry include Albert King, Alia Bastaman, Ezzati Amira, Fairuz Ramdan,
Fizi Woo, Joe Chia, Nurita Harith, Rizman Ruzaini, Rumah Gahara by Nick Faisal, Syomir Izwa, and Variante. The late Sonny San, famed for his ready- to-wear label Eclipse, was one of the early pioneers in home grown fashion.
Malaysian Designers – East Malaysia
In recent years, designers from the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak have had an increasing impact on the Malaysian fashion industry, mostly leveraging distinctly Bornean
themes in their designs. Notable talents include:
• Edric Ong, an architect turned designer known
Rizman Ruzaini’s co-founders, Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Wan Jamil, are an emerging fashion powerhouse, fitting the glitterati with glamorous red-carpet couture while developing a strong ready-to-wear portfolio.
FIZIWOO, combining the names of partners Hafizi Radzi Woo and Izree Kai Haffiz, is a cutting-edge fashion house that combines fine craftsmanship and top-quality made- in-Malaysia manufacturing.