2011年4月12日星期二

The Fashion Designer "Melinda Looi"







Melinda Looi (born as Looi Lai Yee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is an award-winning fashion designer famous for her signature avant-garde and vintage style. She has won numerous accolades; she won the title Designer of the Year three times, twice at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards Malaysian International Fashion Week and latest in 2009 at Mercedes Benz Stylo Fashion Awards .

She has three distinct brands to her name, which are: Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and selected boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her latest addition is a sub-line called MELL BASICS consisting of must-have basics made from certified Organic Cotton.

Besides working on her own fashion labels, Melinda is also involved in numerous and very diverse collaborations reaching from charities and eco-friendly events to art projects as well as collaborations with brands such as L'Oréal , Levi's, Swatch,…and many more.


Education and Early Years
 


Melinda Looi was born into a family where her mother was an illustrious tailor. She had no plans to venture into fashion as she wanted to become an artist. However, her parents were against it as it was too risky and thus decided upon the next best thing, fashion.

She studied at the La Salle Institute of Design in Kuala Lumpur before winning the title of Malaysia Young Designer Award in 1995. The prize was a scholarship to study at the La Salle School of Fashion in Montreal, Canada. In 1998, Melinda returned to Malaysia and worked for her parents’ business for a year before venturing out on her own.

Within the short span of her ten years of creating unique story-telling 'art pieces', the designer's prêt-a-porter wear and couture line have won an international clientele from the U.S.A, Middle East, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Her clients range from socialites to the working professionals, and royalty to celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Britney Spears and Mena Suvari.

Her passion for culture, theatrics and costume culture is reflected in her designs - the gothic tradition of 'avant-garde' is her signature, and eclectic vintage is her handwriting. The designer has confessed her love for chiffon, which she finds sexy and classy, as predominantly used in most of her creations.

Melinda’s favourite designer is Jean Paul Gaultier for his ever changing bold and adventurous style that dares to be different. One of her dreams is to establish a museum in Malaysia dedicated to the Malaysian fashion industry and the history of fashion.

Fashion Business

Mellooi Creation was formed in the year 2000 to take the designer’s creations to greater horizons while also strengthening the brands. Today, a private limited status has been formulated and Mellooi Creation Sdn. Bhd. was created to further develop business opportunities for Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-a-Porter, and MELL in local and international markets.
Being part of the multi-racial and multicultural country that is Malaysia (Malaysia’s population consists of 62% Malays, 24% Chinese and 8% Indians, with other minorities and indigenous peoples) she has consistently drawn inspiration from this rich cultural diversity. Lately, she has been participating in the Islamic Fashion Festivals  in Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern. 

Brands

Melinda Looi Couture
Melinda Looi Couture is the designer’s top of the line collection under the brand. It is made to measure exclusive clothes with the usage of the finest quality materials such as French laces and silk-chiffons. The line is also extended to sophisticated bridal gowns with rich fabrics and luxurious details. The Melinda Looi Couture Showroom is located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where the couture collections can be found and the designer herself welcomes local and international clientele.

Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter is her collection of ready-to-wear evening dresses in a series of cocktail dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories. The collection has garnered wide popularity among socialites, celebrities, office ladies, modern housewives and those seeking for young, trendy and stylish apparels. Since 2009 this line also offers ready-to-wear bridal gowns.

Awards


Information from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Looi

Found by Rachel Wong Sook Leng

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