The Future Of Men's Fashion And The Power Of Social Media
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia|BAZAAR NEWS

Malaysian bespoke tailors Shahrin Bahar and Joshua Fitton discuss the future of men’s fashion and the power of social media.

Mughni Che Din
The Future Of Men's Fashion And The Power Of Social Media

The age of male selfimage improvement is well upon us. This is a post metrosexual world where meticulous male grooming and style choices no longer draw stares and gasps. Over the last century, men’s fashion has played a minor role in the world of luxury retail with womenswear and accessories dominating the market, but now this looks set to change.

Menswear is experiencing a ‘Menaissance’ where men are spending more on fashion than ever before and the statistics appear to back up this notion. According to research by Euromonitor International, menswear will outperform the women’s clothing sector across the world by 2020, with an expected growth of 2.3 percent over the next three years, compared to 2.2 percent for womenswear. But what does this mean for the future of the menswear industry?

BAZAAR approached two Malaysian bespoke tailors, Shahrin Bahar and Joshua Fitton, to gain insight on this major shift in the menswear market. Just as not all suits are created equal, so it is with tailors. Shahrin graduated in 2007 with a degree in menswear from the London College of Fashion. Prior to his return and establishing his eponymous label S. Bahar in 2016, he spent years overseas, working for brands such as Puma, Nike, and DKNY Jeans.

Fitton, on the other hand, did not receive formal instruction in fashion design. The trained architect took a great leap of faith six years ago to start up Atelier Fitton with his business partner Misha Shah. For Fitton, training on the job has been the ultimate learning curve. Today, his sharp designs are worn by some of Malaysia’s prominent celebrities and A-listers including Awal Ashaari, Fattah Amin and Altimet.

We brought these two friends and industry affiliates together at Vinoble in Petaling Jaya, where they had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the international and Malaysian menswear industry, and their plans in taking their respective labels forward.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR MALAYSIAView all
Ultimate SIDEKICK
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Ultimate SIDEKICK

Here's how the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 revolutionise my lifestyle.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Pocket-Sized COMPANION
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Pocket-Sized COMPANION

The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is an ode to innovation and nostalgia with a modern twist.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
LIVING BY DESIGN
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

LIVING BY DESIGN

Interior designer Andrea Savage's Art Deco-fuelled penthouse exudes playful sophistication and innovatively challenges what a home should be.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Mr.Armani's UNIVERSE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Mr.Armani's UNIVERSE

Over the past five decades, Giorgio Armani has constructed his own cinematic world out of fashion and with an ambitious new project in New York, now you can live in it too.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
Shall We DANCE?
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Shall We DANCE?

Model, influencer, content creator, dancer. Athina Kamarudin takes stock of her creative journey and opens up about where she hopes to take herself next.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
Audaciously AVANT-GARDE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Audaciously AVANT-GARDE

Superlative design meets topnotch functionality in Richard Mille's fourth creation with McLaren.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Racing GREEN
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Racing GREEN

The TAG Heuer Monaco continues its homage to motorsports with a new hue.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Tranquil ESCAPE
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

Tranquil ESCAPE

Jo Malone London's new scent merges clean freshness with a distinctive, earthy twist.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
IT ALL STARTS WITHIN
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

IT ALL STARTS WITHIN

Dive deep into the world of Japanese skincare brand Takami and what it takes to care for your kakushitsu.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
GILDED In GOLD
Harper's Bazaar Malaysia

GILDED In GOLD

Dior's 2024 festive collection celebrates opulence and artistry with elegant beauty pieces inspired by Versailles glamour.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024