Han Chong does not waste time. The day before his photo shoot and interview with Tatler, the Malaysian designer hosted four separate sessions to personally introduce Self-Portrait’s pre-fall 2023 collection to his Malaysian clientele. Kuala Lumpur was the penultimate stop of his short Asia tour, having completed his rounds in Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai. His next stop was Singapore, heading there on the day of our shoot. Chong’s busy schedule is meticulously pre-planned months, or even a year, in advance, but this is his normal; he has always worked at a breakneck pace.
In 2013, the Penang-born, London-based designer launched his womenswear label Self-Portrait with a collection of reasonably priced guipere lace dresses. Within a year, the brand’s signature designs were stocked in Selfridges, the prestigious British department store. Within five years, SelfPortrait had opened its first flagship store, on Albemarle Street in London; become the highlight of the New York Fashion Week circuit; and garnered endorsements from some of the world’s most high-profile names, including Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton.
“In the early days of Self-Portrait, I was still figuring things out on my own but I knew I had to make the most of any opportunity. I had to scale up, build my team and set up the right infrastructure very quickly to meet the demand,” Chong recalls with a laugh.
Against the odds, Self-Portrait graduated from being an emerging brand to an established label with commercial success in two of the world’s most competitive fashion markets. But just as it was beginning its global domination, the pandemic brought the entire fashion industry to a grinding halt.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BEST OF THE BAY
China's Greater Bay Area is dialling up the luxury, especially when it comes to five-star accommodation
A Future Interwoven
Emerging Spanish Chinese designer Yayi Chen Zhou reflects on the tapestry of her multicultural influences that define the eponymous label, weaving together identity, craftsmanship and the immigrant experience
Tastes of Southeast Asia
At the third edition of Off Menu Luxe, Tatler Singapore's signature culinary event held in partnership with UOB Private Bank, three of Asia's top chefs crafted an exclusive six-course menu that celebrated the diverse flavours of the region
Good Morning
With nearly 15 years in the coffee industry, Morning's co-founder Leon Foo knows more than a thing or two about crafting the perfect cup of Joe. And, it all started with a simple dream, a spark of curiosity, and, of course, a great cup of coffee
Rise Above
Angela Sim, co-founder and CEO of Cloversoft, shares how she is building a sustainable business, from lessons learnt from her grandfather to prioritising profit over rapid growth
A Fragrant Legacy
Diptyque turns back the clock and recaptures the heady days of 1960s Paris with its olfactory creation, Orphéon Eau de Parfum
The Female Force
For Dior's spring-summer 2025 collection, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri takes inspiration from the legendary Amazons and the house's rich sportswear archives for a collection that embodies female strength and power
Jane Goodall-THE NATURE OF RESILIENCE
Jane Goodall has seen some dark days yet retains an unshakeable sense of hope. A month before she received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden, she sat down with Tatler to share how her education impacted her life mission and why she believes younger generations can still save the planet
Fashion in Reverse
Maison Q founder and creative director Suhana Ab shares insights from a decade of creating reversible childrenswear and forging collaborations with iconic brands
Serpentine Style
Continuing its tradition of commemorative Lunar New Year watches, Swatch has released a Year of the Snake collection
