When did you know you wanted to be a designer? 

When I was 16, I used to go to the malls with my friends and I would be drawn to the window displays of the boutiques. Also I was drawn to the fashion business in one of the interviews with a fashion mogul at that time, and I realised fashion is definitely a serious business and you could build a multi-million and even billion empire around fashion. That definitely caught my interest. 

What/who is your inspiration?  

For my SS12 collection it’s inspired by the 1950s era, but I gave it a more modern take, with my own interpretation and creation.

My main inspiration is my mum. I discover myself through her.  I am truly inspired by her younger days in the 50s, where they actually took every effort to be fashionable. Given the limited resources at that time, she would take the pain to create and sew her own clothes, putting them together to look stylish.  I truly admire her creativity, the passion to create and the effort to look good. 

What kinds of women do you picture wearing your collection? How do you intend for them to feel?

A confident woman who is always ahead of time. Less is more, so I want them to feel effortless, yet look good and feel comfortable.

We noticed you like to incorporate satin and other shiny fabrics into your collections, is there a particular reason?  

I go for what’s suitable for the collection and what I have in mind. I go for comfort as well and these fabrics make you feel comfortable and look good at the same time, because they suit the cut that I want.

How does it feel to be the first non-European to win the Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000? 

It makes me proud and thankful that I was given this opportunity. My motto is – be passionate, believe in what you do, rework and rework and eventually you will have success and fame.

You have successfully built a clientele of the royalties and riches in Kuala Lumpur, how was this experience for you?  

It is definitely hard work to be innovative and take risk in introducing new concepts and styles at the same time. And as I always say, believe in what you do, rework and rework and you will gain success. 

How did you adapt to the European market?  

The European market is more edgy, sexy and in-trend with the international market’s direction.

Do you tailor your collections for different markets in the world accordingly? Are there any differences between the overseas range and Malaysian range?

In all my collections, be it for the local and international market, there will be elements of Bernard Chandran. You will see the difference because the collections are catered for different markets, but you can also see Bernard Chandran in them. There is this consistency throughout, the cut and the style.

What projects are you currently working on?  

Area27 check it out. It is a multi-label store-cum-hip showcase that defies traditional boundaries, and re-defines high street fashion, with an attitude. Area27 presents ideal and artistic values and expression on fashion. Like pop art’s take on fashion, it includes popular designs, music of different genres that personify cult abstraction, objects of desire to icons, villains and heroes.

Area27 views fashion through a more unconventional lens. It is for the individual that would like to find respite from the mainstream, but at the same time is unwilling to compromise on style. This is where fashion becomes personal to the individual. 

How do you plan to expand your company?  

It is all by natural progression. We will always have Bernard Chandran, then we have Bernard Chandran couture and we also have Area27.

What is exciting right now in fashion?   

It’s definitely a lot more exciting, because people are more aware, making use of fashion to express their individual style, instead of fashion for the sake of fashion.

Who is your Idol?  

Warren Buffet, he is super cool.

Interviewed by Nathalie Lun