ESTABLISHED LABELS VS START-UP BRANDS
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia|August 2022
What is the future of Malaysian fashion?
SANJEEVA SURESH
ESTABLISHED LABELS VS START-UP BRANDS

How would one describe Malaysian fashion? Malaysian fashion in my opinion is the amalgamation of the nation's multi-cultural roots melded with the dynamism of forward-thinking tastemakers. From young designers who dare to strive for sartorial innovation to red-carpet savants and Muslimah, conservative fashion. In recent years, however, there has been a rise of smaller brands who are shaking up the status quo and in turn, stamping their own unique mark onto the Malaysian fashion market.

A recent tête-à-tête with a friend made me realize that local fashion brands are burgeoning one after the other and more often than not, they were spearheaded by young entrepreneurs with a large social media presence. This begs the question "why"? Is it because there's a gap in the market? A new unforeseen silhouette, pattern, or textile perhaps? Well, not really. It all comes down to branding and demand.

Take MotherChucker's for instance, founded by social media mogul and entrepreneur Jane Chuck. Mother Chucker's gained popularity during the height of the pandemic in 2020 where work-from-home culture saw a growing demand for loungewear and fuss-free staples. "It's elevated classics", says Jason the Merchandising Manager at MotherChucker's who explains that MotherChucker's have their "fingers on the pulse of current events to convey something aspirational, yet not too far-fetched from reality". Where Mother Chucker's found its own niche, so did fellow start-up label Haus of Rami. Founded by Aaron Z and Shan Shan Lim Haus of Rami was conceptualized to "craft shirts of the highest calibre". Drawing inspiration from textile traditions across the globe Haus of Rami strives to create limited-edition wearable art honing into one craft-shirt making.

This story is from the August 2022 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2022 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR MALAYSIAView All
SkyHIGH
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

SkyHIGH

Crystal Woo takes a city sojourn at the new Inter-Continental Bangkok Sukhumvit.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
The Grandmaster OF ROMANCE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

The Grandmaster OF ROMANCE

No one captures the language of love as achingly beautiful as filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Winner's CIRCLE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Winner's CIRCLE

Meet the five laureates of the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
My life, my style
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

My life, my style

Romantic details and playful accents abound in the elegant Edinburgh home of the cult accessories designer Leeanne Hundleby.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Going GREEN
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Going GREEN

TAG Heuer continues to lead the world of smartwatches, now with the latest Connected Calibre E4 in a fresh new hue.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
Fathoms ABOVE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Fathoms ABOVE

Last year's successful Blancpain X Swatch collab now welcomes a new addition, in honour of an ocean of the celestial kind.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Endless SUMMER
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Endless SUMMER

Richard Mille offers a colourful new collection inspired by the breezy yet rebellious spirit of Memphis Design.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
THE WAU FACTOR
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

THE WAU FACTOR

From golden hibiscus to anyaman motifs, Cartier injects notes of Malaysiana into its newly reopened store in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
BEAUTY queen
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

BEAUTY queen

South Korean actor Han So-Hee unveils her 2024 goals and favourite Dior Beauty picks.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Trend of LIPS
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Trend of LIPS

We're in an era of wellness that focuses on healthy beauty. Before colour came the importance of nourishing and embracing the natural beauty of the lips.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024