THE TASTEMAKERS

HALL OF FAME

- TANIA JAYATILAKA

DATO’ SRI BERNARD CHANDRAN

Can a fashion designer be a style icon? When he is Bernard Chandran, the answer is a resounding yes. For over three decades, Chandran has not only achieved this feat with his eclectic, quirky style choices but has also maintained his reign as Malaysia’s undefeated King of Fashion whose clientele includes royals in Brunei and Malaysia as well as A-list celebrities such as Rihanna, Estelle and Lady Gaga.

Known for playing by his own rules, Chandran’s fashion philosophy stems from the principle that style is more than just one’s wardrobe. “I don’t dress to fit in, I push boundaries and test the waters,” he says, describing his personal style as “scrappy glam”.

But to truly understand Chandran’s impact and relevance on fashion is to appreciate his advice on achieving style that stands the test of time: “It’s not about being influenced by others but creating your own new look. I always tell people, I’m not a designer as much as I am a creator.”

CILLA FOONG

Cilla Foong is legendary in the Malaysian fashion scene. Starting as a model in 1977 when she was 17, Foong refocused her energies in the ’90s on grooming new talents—Kavita Sidhu, Tengku Azura and Ling Tan were just a few of the big names that blossomed under her wings. Over the decades, the ageless beauty has carved a niche for herself in luxury fashion and beauty, going from producing spectacular runway shows to curating bespoke events for major brands like Dior, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Saint Laurent and Cartier.