We know that the fashion industry in Malaysia is continously growing with the efforts of so many determined people, we can see that the messages are being sent across. Women of this era are starting to take more control over their own ideas and are creating their own visions. We spoke to two local fashion entrepreneurs who have made their names in the industry and we asked them about their thoughts on the Malaysian industry along with what makes a business work. We had a chance to speak to Irene See, the founder of Chic Yamada and Shuenkee Chong from Thirtyfour.
Let’s take a look at what these ladies had to say!
Chic Yamada
Fashion designing has been a passion for Irene See since the tender age of 9. That passion was made into reality when she launched her very own Malaysia High Street Fashion Label by the name of Chic Yamada back in July 2009.
Irene picked up her designing skills through watching multiple tutorials via YouTube and other social networking sites. The brand has grown over the years with its creation of colorful yet eco-friendly pieces made suited for women of all walks of life. It incorporates the essence of music, life and style into its silhouettes and use of materials. Now, Chic Yamada has expanded not only throughout Kuala Lumpur but also in the United Kingdom and India.
Take a look at what did Irene have to say about her inspirations and thoughts on Malaysian fashion:
Q:How did you come about to create Chic Yamada?
A: I always wanted start a fashion brand since i was young. i like the idea of creating something nice for ppl to wear using different print on it. After years working under corporations, i think i was ready in terms of working experience. so i quit my job at the age of 30 and start everything from ground zero.
Q: Is the fashion industry something you always saw yourself being in?
A: Yes all my life. But after these past 3 years in Chic Yamada, i realised fashion industry is more than designing, fabrics and etc but also marketing, accounting and strategising. So i would love to also go into business consultation field.
Q. Where do you see Chic Yamada five years from today?
A: I would love to Chic Yamada to expand in terms of retail store locally and internationally. and i really hope we are able to open more door each year to expand the availability to consumers.
Q: What are your hopes for Malaysian fashion in the future?
A: We have so many talented designers in Malaysia but what we lacked of is opportunities. I hope Malaysia will be able to hold international fashion trade show so we can show the international buyers what we got. In that way, w are able to compete and improve ourselves internationally.
Q: Who are your favorite local designers?
A: I love Jonathan Liang. each of the pieces put a lot of thoughts into every pieces. i love his versatility. Nik Erawan Roseli on the vintage essence.
ThirtyFour
Founded by Shuenkee Chong and Linda Chong, thirtyfour is an interdisciplinary design practice + lifestyle initiative. Drawing from a design pool that weaves together skill sets and aesthetics from such fields as architecture, metal smithing, fashion, industrial, graphic and interactive multimedia design; thirtyfour conflates diverging forms of design into one directional perspective, yielding an entity as freeform as it is controlled.
We talked to Shuenkee about her thoughts on inspiration and the local fashion industry:
Q: Why did you both decide to start Thirtyfour? Was this always a plan that you both always had in mind?
A: No this was not a plan we always had, we both met up at one of our family gatherings and out uncle planted the idea of setting up something. And that got us thinking and talking a year later we did out first preview.
