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As the saying goes, it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop – and boy, are we proud to say that our local fashion designers are one of the many groups of people that we take pride in drawing inspiration from during these challenging times!
While most of us were able to continue our daily lives by pivoting our career and businesses amidst the pandemic, these fashion designers had little to no choice but to constantly look for new opportunities so that their businesses can stay afloat during the ever-extended MCO period. However, despite the many challenges that have hit them and are still coming their way, they are confident that with the right mindset and attitude, they’ll be able to continue spreading joy and positivity while making a difference in society. Here, we get them to share more about the artworks that they’ve created for SENSE Scoop, along with an insight into their lives over the past year.
1. CASSEY GAN
Fashion Designer
Last year may have been a ‘battlefield’ for Cassey, as she puts it, but thanks to her family, true friends and passion for creating beautiful, purposeful items, she got through the tough times and her heart is filled with gratitude.
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1. One word you’d use to drive yourself:
“Exploration.”
2. What’s your masterpiece called?
“Gratitude.”
3. What is it made of?
“294 fabric panels of my signature prints that have been created since 2016.”
4. What’s the story behind your creation?
“The Covid-19 situation has allowed me to slow down, look back, reevaluate and analyse what I’ve been doing so far. Despite 2020 being a challenging year, I’m truly grateful for the past seven years of running a business because being able to do what I love for a living is truly a blessing. Hence, I’ve selected a series of my favourite prints and collaged them as a reminder to always be humble and grateful whilst not forgetting to bring joy through my work.”
5. What discovery have you made since MCO 1.0?
“That change is good and that sometimes, adversity generates new opportunities. I reminded myself to have an open mind when accepting new challenges and never give up easily.”
6. What made sense for you in the past year?
“That the world can only flourish if we help one another. The slogan ‘Kita Jaga Kita’ has never been truer.”
7. And what didn’t make sense for you?
“Why power and politics are more important than human lives.”
8. What do you hope will make sense for you or everyone soon?
“I hope that everyone has at least adjusted to life with Covid-19 and regained some normalcy because it does look like this virus can only be eradicated with a cure or vaccine – which hopefully comes sooner than later!”
9. When the going got tough, what kept you going?
“Family, true friends and passion.”
10. What’s your current mantra?
“Come rain or shine, life goes on. Find possibilities even when everything seems impossible.”
2. BEATRICE LOOI
Fashion Designer, Couturier, Costume Designer & Stylist
As a seasoned creative talent in the Malaysian fashion industry, Beatrice loves creating items with a personal touch, lives by the words ‘no limitations’ and believes in doing things that make her heart happy and her soul shine.
1. One word you’d use to drive yourself:
“Adventure.”
2. What’s your masterpiece called?
“Fly high.”
3. What materials did you use to create it?
“A drawing pen and watercolour pencils.”
4. What’s the inspiration behind your creation?
“I believe that my 2021 will be adventurous. I’d be doing things that I’ve never tried before and saying yes to new possibilities. It’s just like having a pair of wings that could fly me anywhere with no limits.”
5. What discovery have you made since MCO 1.0?
“That my couch is a better place to sleep on than my bed.”
6. What made sense for you in the past year?
“That sometimes, being alone can be good too.”
7. And what didn’t make sense for you?
“Instead of earning, I was burning my savings. And if the MCO doesn’t end soon, don’t be surprised if you see me selling vegetables in the pasar. By then my name will be Aunty B.”
8. What do you hope will make sense for you or everyone soon?
“I’m hoping for the end of the pandemic soon – and I mean soon.”
9. When the going got tough, what kept you going?
“Hope.”
10. What’s your current mantra?
“Jom, because YOLO!”
3. CELEST THOI
Bridal designer
2020 was a tough year for Celest as she saw weddings after weddings being cancelled when the first MCO hit Malaysia nearly a year ago. But the ever-youthful personality persevered and is still hopeful about the future.
1. One word you’d use to drive yourself:
“Hope.”
2. What’s your masterpiece called?
“Return my colours.”
3. What materials did you use to create it?
“Acrylic paints on canvas.”
4. What’s the story behind your creation?
“2020 was a dull and dim year for many of us. One night, I had a dream that a vibrant, huge, beautiful rainbow appeared all over the world. It rained colours of positivity for three continuous days and washed the nasty Covid-19 virus away. I was wondering to myself, how awesome would it be if that was real? So I quickly took out my canvas, brushes and acrylic paints as I wanted to illustrate this dream and share it with the world.”
5. What discovery have you made since MCO 1.0?
“That we can’t be complacent nor too comfortable with what we do because a sudden change can ruin us. Just like me, for example. I’ve been in the bridal business for the last 10 years. I was happy doing what I love and all of a sudden, Covid-19 came and emptied my world. There has been zero weddings since March 2020, and that quickly got me to step out of my comfort zone and think out of the box.”
6. What made sense for you in the past year?
“I opened my eyes to see what’s real, filter out the nonsense and appreciate the littlest things in life that matter.”
7. And what didn’t make sense for you?
“That we couldn’t seem to see the light at at the end of the tunnel, which brought about lots of uncertainty.”
8. What do you hope will make sense for you or everyone soon?
“Hopefully, we can gradually return to normalcy so that we can make simple pleasures like meeting up with friends, hanging out at cafes or parks and travelling happen again. I also hope that I can be reunited with my family (in Singapore) soon.”
9. When the going got tough, what kept you going?
“The need to survive, change and innovate, and to go with the flow. In short, I always try to see the glass as half-full.”
10. What’s your current mantra?
“That I need to toughen up – because what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger!”
4. KAREN LAU
Founder of Wynka
Kuching-based Karen is one of those people whose actions speak louder than words. The serial multitasker lives each day to the fullest without forgetting to add compassion to her work and a playful touch to everything she does.
1. One word you’d use to drive yourself:
“Resilience.”
2. What’s your masterpiece called?
“Love speech.”
3. What materials did you use to create it?
“Watercolour paints.”
4. What’s the inspiration behind your creation?
“The painting of the three lips represents Wynka's stand against cyber-bullying.With our words, we have the ability to build or destroy. So let us always be reminded of injecting love into our speech; nobody wants a bittergourd hanging around in these difficult times. Let our words be as beautiful as the clothes we put on. Spread love, pray more and seek peace.”
5. What discovery have you made since MCO 1.0?
“I set my sights on improving computer literacy and self-awareness. With businesses moving online, being able to be flexible and adaptable was the key to surviving and even thriving. I’m glad I could spend more time to reflect on my growth and use it to propel myself further for Wynka.”
6. What made sense for you in the past year?
“That liquor stores are considered ‘essential’ – thank goodness for that!”
7. And what didn’t make sense for you?
“How some people can be so selfish. Covid-19 brought out a lot of ugliness beyond just the disease itself – character flaws too.”
8. What do you hope will make sense for you or everyone soon?
“That we should show love and compassion to our neighbours as we’re all battling the coronavirus pandemic together – so we should treat others the way we’d like to be treated. Also, for people to practise speaking nicely to one another – or else just keep mum.”
9. When the going got tough, what kept you going?
“The ability to express myself. Everyone has something they can get lost in – in a good way. If writing helps you, write. If drawing makes you happy, draw. And if singing heals you, then sing your lungs out! I believe that we all have an artist inside of us; an artist that only comes to life during times of sadness and grief – and whether you realise it or not, that artist is usually the one that saves your life.”
10. What’s your current mantra?
“Life is either short or really, really long. Either way, you better spend it doing whatever makes you happy! Be vulnerable, be courageous, be a child if you need to, and find comfort in the uncomfortable.”
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