ASIA'S MOST STYLISH -THE BUSINESS OF FASHION

For style savant Datin Sri Linda Chen, the beauty of the journey is in discovering her calling .True style comes from knowing who you are and standing behind your fashion choices as this year’s honourees of Asia’s Most Stylish have proven. Champions of self-expression, these mavericks have shown what it takes to shake up Malaysia’s style scene

- Elizabeth Soong

As the creative director of Bonia and Braun Buffel, Datin Sri Linda Chen always cuts a striking, stylish figure, often wearing edgy streetwear looks that best reflect her personality: while some describe her as enigmatic, she begs to differ, saying she is an open book. She says that fashion makes her feel confident, in control and puts her in a good mood when she does dress up.

Chen has had an understanding of the importance and impact of style from a young age. “You know how kids would normally carry their back pack to school?” she asks. “I carried a striking red patent leather shoulder bag from a luxury brand instead. I was kind of particular about the bag and wallet I used; I loved fashion and styling myself, so I guess I was already very into fashion [aged] 13 … I wanted to be different.”

I remind her of the bodycon dress with the feathery neckline that she wore for our Style File shoot in 2019, and ask if her style has evolved since then. She says, “I feel like it changes as I get older. Right now, I’m more of a deep thinker—not so bubbly anymore. I find myself moving away from the past ladylike or feminine [looks]. So I would say my style has changed to more chic, edgy, minimalist. I tend to go for things that lean towards the more masculine side nowadays— maybe because of my career, the experiences I went through that shaped my character and my mindset over the years; I’m more grounded and settled.”