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.
Bu hikaye Tatler Singapore dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Tatler Singapore dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A Family Jewel
Fanty Soenardy unveils the crowning jewel of her vault-a Chaumet tiara that she dreams of passing down to her daughter on her wedding day
GROWTH MINDSET
Three women entrepreneurs share their smart habits to managing money and growing wealth—and doing so meaningfully with purpose
A Classic Redefined
Through the organic beauty of wood veneers, Steinway & Sons' limited edition Masterpiece 8X8 explores an alternative to the established aesthetic of pianos
Oak Artistry
Born of a collaboration with contemporary circus producer Cirque du Soleil, Vibrant Oak, the fourth release in The Macallan's Harmony Collection, pays homage to the Scottish whisky house's rich history with oak and the sherry-seasoned oak casks central to its heritage
Full Potential
Philippine tourism is buzzing with activity, and Christina Garcia Frasco is at the forefront of it all
Live & Learn
When Anthonia Hui and Leonardo Drago still lived in Hong Kong nearly three decades ago, they came across a beggar on the streets. “Just as I was about to pull out my wallet, Leo held my hand and said, ‘How do you know he’s not scamming you?’”
Hip to Be Square
Patek Philippe launches Cubitus, its first new collection in 25 years, in Munich, Germany, debuting three sporty and elegant watches By Annabel Tan
Marine Wonders
Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative and Mission Blue join forces to support the conservation of Indonesia's island paradise of Nusa Penida and its magnificent biodiversity
Deep Purpose
Rolex champions environmental conservation through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, which supports ocean-focused organisations such as Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue and Titouan Bernicot's Coral Gardeners
Grand Designs
When it comes to grand touring, few carmakers can boast the storied history of Maserati, which has been producing vehicles that embody grand touring's golden era, which originated in the mid-20th-century, for more than 75 years.
