<p>Meet the seven visionaries reshaping and upcycling the outdated perceptions of today's cultural creators.</p>

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      <p><span>In the ever-evolving <a href="https://www.hommesmalaysia.com/categories/fashion">fashion landscape</a> where sustainability, diversity and labour ethics are hot topics, the industry&rsquo;s obsession with novelty might be missing the mark. In Malaysia, a fresh wave of designers is blending global influences to pose a critical question: how can we leverage our pasts &mdash; be it cultural heritage, personal stories or the journey of intergenerational trauma and healing &mdash; to carve out a future that defies the traditional boundaries of sexuality, gender, race and nationality?</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>ZUBAIDA SAHAR OF ZUUSAHA</span></p>
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      <p><span>For Zubaida Sahar, the first flicker of a future in fashion came through her fascination with colours and her whimsical doodles. Sketching her path toward crafting playful, psychedelic concepts, Zubaida&rsquo;s final year project at University Teknologi MARA earned her the Gold Award in Fashion Design 2015. &ldquo;From that moment on, I knew the local fashion scene needed more of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zuusaha/">Zuusaha</a>. Nothing was holding me back from sharing my vision for the brand.&rdquo;<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Zuusaha&rsquo;s pioneering spirit thrives in the exuberant maximalism of Zubaida&rsquo;s slinky unisex designs, blending elements from today&rsquo;s fashion landscape where the lines between menswear and womenswear are delightfully blurred. Her creations are a testament to her belief in the power of self-expression. &ldquo;Fashion is the ultimate tool for self-expression.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">"While words and actions are powerful, fashion speaks its own language &mdash; sometimes understood only by you. That&rsquo;s crucial because it allows you to celebrate yourself in any way you choose. Only you truly understand it.&rdquo;</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>RONALD CHEW OF WATER THE PLANT</span></p>
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      <p><span>Ronald Chew&rsquo;s fascination with England&rsquo;s subculture and street fashion sparked a wave of inspiration, igniting ideas to bring that vibrant energy to Malaysia&rsquo;s then-dormant fashion scene back in 2012. &ldquo;I love the positivity these elements promote, not just in creativity but also in fostering self-love and self-discovery,&rdquo; he shares.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Now a regular on the fashion-week party circuit, Chew&rsquo;s brand, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/water.the.plant/">Water the Plant</a>, is his canvas for head-turning, innovative looks. &ldquo;I see Water the Plant shaping the future of fashion by continuing to create cutting-edge, inclusive designs that leverage new technologies. We aim to inspire positive change in the industry, encouraging other brands to prioritise ethical practices and innovation while staying true to our mission of promoting self-love and self-growth.&rdquo;<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Chew&rsquo;s journey, which includes education in England and the US, is a quest to blend Eastern and Western design influences. Growing up in Kuala Lumpur exposed him to a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions, significantly shaping his work today. &ldquo;This multicultural environment taught me the importance of diversity and inclusion,&rdquo; he reflects.</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>KITTIE YIYI OF RENT WITH KITTIE</span></p>
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      <p><span>In Kittie Yiyi&rsquo;s boundless creative universe, mind-bending cultural clashes abound, reflecting her lifelong dream of becoming a fashion designer. &ldquo;I pursued a diploma in fashion design right after high school and immediately started working under a local brand, doing styling for magazines, artists on stage and music videos,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had a unique perspective, often holding a second opinion against the majority. It was hard for others to accept my unusual style, but that didn&rsquo;t stop me from being myself.&rdquo;<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Kittie&rsquo;s unique instincts result in striking clashes, imbued with a self-described &ldquo;fun, brave and crazy&rdquo; energy that defines her brand, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rentwithkittie/">Rent with Kittie</a>. The result? Flared organza shift dresses adorned with oversized bows, carrot-cut trousers paired with voluminous jackets and her signature Bow Bag in various sizes, patterns and colours. Kittie Yiyi&rsquo;s designs, worn by local fashion royalty like Juwei Teoh and Evonne, go beyond mere clothing. &ldquo;My work is sourced from my lived experiences and my family&rsquo;s, blending organically into my designs. It&rsquo;s a part of me.&rdquo;</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>WILL LIM &amp; ANTONIO WAN OF DOUBLEBACK</span></p>
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      <p><span>In 2024, nothing is more relevant than launching a fashion label that truly caters to everyone. While this may sound cliché, co-founders Will and Antonio have created something entirely unique with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/__doubleback/">Doubleback</a>. Picture this: a jacket that morphs from a hoodie when the temperature drops to a denim jacket for a stylish twist on your daily ensemble; a versatile skirt that can be worn top-down or bottom-up; and an oversized T-shirt with a clever pin to lift the hem, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">showing off the waistband of your Calvin Klein underwear. &ldquo;What sets us apart is our refusal to confine ourselves to any single category,&rdquo; the duo asserts.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Doubleback is not just about adding fun to the local fashion scene; it&rsquo;s about proving that Malaysia has no shortage of fashion taste or style. &ldquo;Our goal is to make designer pieces accessible to everyone. There&rsquo;s a misconception that designer clothes are out of reach for many and that Malaysia lacks fashion sense.We&rsquo;reheretochangethatnarrative.Our team is committed to this mission, and this dedication drives us to consistently deliver innovative designs.&rdquo;</span></p>
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        <p style="text-align: center;"><span>BILLY LEO OF PRIVATE STITCH</span></p>
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        <p><span>One glance at Billy Leo&rsquo;s collection for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/privatestitch/">Private Stitch</a> reveals his keen eye for detail and exceptional craftsmanship. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University graduate expertly experiments with menswear, reinventing classic shirts and trousers to create pieces that are both playful and sophisticated, with a rich textural depth.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Billy attributes his unique style to his upbringing, which exposed him to a rich tapestry of local cultures and modern austerity. His designs feature muted colour palettes and meticulously considered ornamentation and detailing. Despite his reluctance to over-embellish, Billy&rsquo;s work exudes a softness and fluidity that resonates with the new generation&rsquo;s desire for versatile, everyday fashion. &ldquo;I stay up-to-date with fashion trends and continuously integrate local cultural influences into our designs,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;Local fashion trends can differ significantly from those in other countries, so we meticulously observe and adapt to these nuances. Since the pandemic, the global fashion scene has undergone significant changes. We remain vigilant about current events, making continuous adjustments to stay ahead of the curve.&rdquo;</span></p>
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        <p style="text-align: center;"><span>IMAN MARISSA OF BARELY SENSORED</span></p>
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        <p><span>Iman Marissa&rsquo;s designs for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/barelysensored/">Barely Sensored</a> are Trojan horses wrapped in ethereal organza and broderie anglaise </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">which she obtained from her life journey. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of trauma and hardship that led me to find solace in art,&rdquo; she shares. Beneath the delicate beauty lie powerful stories, with each collection exploring the uncertainties of our times. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the chaotic energy for me,&rdquo; Iman says, describing her brand&rsquo;s aesthetic.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Her approach to these traditional elements is hypermodern. Trained at Raffles University in Kuala Lumpur, Iman&rsquo;s work possesses the quality of soft sculpture, combining playful romantic and punk silhouettes that have captivated both the online community and local fashion enthusiasts. &ldquo;I was surrounded by students who dressed so stylishly and uniquely that I felt inspired to experiment with my own style,&rdquo; she recalls. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d paint and cut my clothes, even reconstruct jewellery I already owned into pieces I felt were truly unique to me.&rdquo;</span></p>
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        <p style="text-align: center;"><span>MASYADI MANSOOR OF MSYD</span></p>
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        <p><span>&ldquo;We create pieces that challenge conventional fashion norms and cater to those craving unique, statement-making outerwear,&rdquo; declares Masyadi Mansoor. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m thrilled by the innovative design possibilities and the growing acceptance of avant-garde styles in mainstream fashion. It&rsquo;s exciting to see bold, unconventional pieces gaining traction and pushing traditional boundaries.&rdquo; A graduate of University Teknologi MARA, Masyadi&rsquo;s fashion education inspired him to critically examine the sartorial codes of his homeland and defy the clichés of safe, predictable style often associated with local fashion.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">While Masyadi&rsquo;s designs may not fit the conventional mould, they offer a captivating new vision of Malaysian style. Blending futuristic references from sci-fi movies like Mad Max, Ultraviolet and The Hunger Games with the relaxed ease of contemporary sportswear, his creations reflect the innovative spirit and broad perspective of the new generation. It&rsquo;s no surprise that Masyadi has already found a following among today&rsquo;s style renegades and caught the attention of brands like Nike and H&amp;M, leading to collaborative projects with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/masyadimansoor/">MSYD</a>.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CREDITS:<br /></strong><br /><strong>Creative Direction, Styling &amp; Words</strong> Syazil Abd Rahim<br /><strong>Photography</strong> Herbe Yap<br /><strong>Grooming &amp; Hair</strong> Wan Ning<br /><strong>Model</strong> Hyeonseok / Wu Models<br /><strong>Photography</strong> Assistant Saiful Azwan</p>

Malaysian independent designers interrogating cultural identity

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