DESIGNER PROFILE Bernard Chandran JADA BROOKES GETS BEHIND THE MIND OF SOUGHT-AFTER MALAYSIAN FASHION DESIGNER BERNARD CHANDRAN, ONE OF FASHION’S MOST RESPECTED PIONEERS.

ashion designer Bernard Chandran of traditional lines of rich cultural heritage to contemporary is hailed as Malaysia’s ‘King of creations. I am glad to say the brand Bernard Chandran is Fashion’ and counts many of the the first to revolutionise the traditional Malay ‘Kebayas’ and country’s elite including the royal ‘Kurungs’, turning them into modern, fashionable and wearable house of Malaysia and Brunei among outfits.” his clientele. He also has a number of Whilst some fashion designers may have designed a dress, a Fcelebrities wearing his designs such as Lady shirt or even a skirt as their first article of clothing, Chandran’s Gaga, Estelle, Rihanna, Little Boots and Tori first was simply a sleeve. Today he believes that “both the Amos. For a determined person who knows aesthetics which is the cut, the material, the craftsmanship and his mind and exactly what he wants to achieve, the emotional, where you are confident, comfortable and at ease Chandran easily could have been an accountant with your individual style” makes a quality article of clothing. instead (if he had followed his father’s advice) Being a sought-after designer himself, Bernard Chandran is and even trained to be one at LCCI after he inspired by fellow designers Cristobal Balenciaga, Gilbert finished high school. A designer since 1993, Adrian and Claude Montana. His favourite model is Mary Chandran graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree Lourdes Chandran who was a highly sought-after model in the in Fine Arts from the Paris American Academy 1990s and his No. 1 muse as well as his wife of many years, and and at L’Union Des Chambres Syndicales he would like to dress two of Hollywood’s unconventional but Parisiennes in Paris, and is today counted as unique beauties Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett. one of the world’s most recognised, successful When preparing for a fashion shoot or show, Chandran has and renowned fashion pioneers. a completely different concept to other designers… and says, Before he ventured on the path of his “I listen to my inner voice”. With some designers preferring to chosen career, fashion was a completely either sketch or construct their design, Chandran is happy to do different ball game when he was younger. both, and on the subject on what the best thing he likes about Chandran explains, “When I was a teenager, designing clothes, he answered, “I never really think about Kuala Lumpur was only beginning to embrace these things, the process of designing. But if there is one thing I fashion from abroad and there were several enjoy, is to create.” Colour is an important element and changes fashion houses and independent boutiques depending on the season; for this season, Chandran used which were set up around the city shopping “colours that pop” with fabric that comes with an iridescent centres. I used to admire the window displays tone. Material is also of equal measure, in which he uses all and was always drawn by the different fashion types; for this season, Chandran worked with lurex-coated each season. Hence I started sketching and material and Pahang Royal silks, which when combined makes designing my own fashion designs and even beautiful brocade. accessories. I even managed to sell some With so many achievements and accomplishments under accessories and one of our local well known his belt including being the first non-European designer to win singers even bought several pairs of earrings both the coveted Silk Cut Young Designers Award and the Open from me!” Chandran also believes that having European Contest for Look of the Year 2000 in 1991, awarded a positive mind is paramount in the world of the Monsieur Style Awards in 1997 and the prestigious Maurice fashion; to aspiring fashion designers, he would Lacroix Recognition Award in Paris in 2000, and named say: “Believe in what you do, be passionate Designer of the Year at the Malaysia International Fashion about it, be genuine about it and eventually the Awards (MIFA) and Master of His Craft by Tatler (Malaysia) universe will favour you!” in 2003. He also received the conferment of ‘Dato’-ship, an He sees fashion as a “form of freedom honorary title (equivalent to a ‘knighthood’ in the UK where the of expression and individualistic style,” and receiver carries the title ‘Sir’) by the Sultan of Pahang Malaysia, believes that it is important to be innovative and for his outstanding contributions to the fashion industry. He was take risk to introduce new concepts and styles. awarded the Brand Laureate (Best Brands in Fashion-Haute “As I always say,” Chandran adds, smiling, Couture) and the Martell Elite of the Year awards in 2007, “believe in what you do, rework and rework received the Highest Achievement Award at the Malaysian and you will gain success.” His city’s fashion International Fashion Awards in 2009, and opened his first is simply defined as “safe!” and doing what he store in London in January 2004, as well as the chief designer loves and putting his passion to work is the best of reality television show Malaysia and guest perk about being a fashion designer. Whilst judge on Britain’s Next Top Model. Bernard Chandran’s next Chandran describes his design signature as goal would be to see “the Bernard Chandran brand established “the cut and the continuous innovations in the in all countries around the world and see every woman owning design”, he gladly gives us more to chew on a Bernard Chandran.” when elaborating on what his brand stands for. An innovative and skilful fashion designer who knows what He told us, “Today the Bernard Chandran brand he wants in his brand, it was a pleasure getting to know the mind is also best known for interpreting cultures on of international fashion pioneer Bernard Chandran. the runway. Our success includes the bridging www.bernardchandran.com