In Conversation With MELINDA LOOI & MOTOGUO

Two boundary-pushing designers from different generations came together for a heartfelt conversation, delving into the challenges that arise when attempting to defy conventional narratives.

- AININA HASNUL

Blending in is easy. The real challenge lies in standing out. While it distinguishes you from the crowd, it also brings its fair share of challenges. Doubt often creeps in, questioning whether it’s truly worth it. Avant-garde fashion serves as a form of self-expression, making a statement to challenge the status quo. Not many possess the courage to speak its language.

However, in Motoguo’s vibrant studio, it’s the lingua franca. “We call this space our Mission Control, because it looks like a spaceship,” describe the founders of Motoguo—Moto Guo, Kinder Eng and Jay Perry Ang. Their unique and quirky space serves as a studio, office and store, adorned with their collections of whimsical artworks and collection pieces. When I first approached Melinda Looi for this interview, she was thrilled to be paired with the eponymous label. And there she sat in their studio, wearing Mell by Melinda Looi, across from the founders of Motoguo, dressed in their own designs, ready for our exchange.

MELINDA LOOI & MOTOGUO

With 24 years in the industry, Melinda Looi epitomises boldness. It isn’t just evident in her designs, but also in her charisma and tenacity. Growing up in a pleating factory, assisting her mother’s business, Melinda honed her skills in fashion design early in life. In 2000, Mell by Melinda Looi was founded, catering to the avant-garde in all of us. Today, the multi-award-winning fashion designer has solidified her presence internationally. Despite her longstanding position in the fashion industry, Melinda believes learning from the younger generation is vital for growth. “That’s why I hire the younger generation. I want to see how I can push them and how we can learn together.”