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.
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