Bernard Chandran

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Datuk Bernard Chandran
Born Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nationality Malaysian
Labels Bernard Chandran

Datuk Bernard Chandran is a prominent Malaysian fashion designer. Currently known as Malaysia's 'Prince of Fashion', his talents have earned him many faithful clients among Malaysia's elite most notably the Royal families of Malaysia and Brunei as well as two former Miss Universe.

Bernard Chandran is also a Malaysian television personality. He's known as the chief designer of the reality television show Project Runway Malaysia, since its debut on 8TV on 3 August 2007.[1]

He is also a brand ambassador for the Tiffani By Izen service apartments (to be completed in 2009), developed by Ireka Land Sdn Bhd.[2]

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[edit] Early years

Bernard Chandran is of both Indian and Chinese parentage (commonly referred to as Chindian in Malaysia). He grew up in an average Malaysian family. His father wanted him to become an accountant and he almost followed this advice, before briefly considering being a tobacconist, "It's a good career!".

At aged 16, he had already decided he wanted to be a fashion designer and it was just a case of convincing his father. He initially studied fashion in a local fashion college in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. During his time at the college, he was known for his shyness backstage around the undressed models during his initial fashion shows at the local college. Given three months after graduation to prove himself, he arranged his debut solo show, taking the first steps on the road to becoming Malaysia's top designer. Bernard's father was won over and helped fund his son's further studies, with Bernard soon winning a place at the prestigious Paris Fashion School in Paris, France.

He became the first Malaysian to win the 'Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000' in 1991.

Bernard is only too aware how important this was in starting his career, "Everyone must go to a fashion school to understand the basics of fashion. Not only to learn design, but the history of fashion too".

[edit] Fashion Business

After honing his skills overseas in Paris, he returned to Malaysia to set-up his maiden shop in KL Plaza in 1993. The first 'Bernard Chandran' couture house was a small rented shop with a handful of staff in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. From there, he built up his client base amongst the who's who of Kuala Lumpur, ranging from the rich to royalty. He has now expanded his shop in KL Plaza to take up 4 shop lots and is nearly 300 square meters in area. He was voted Designer of the Year by the Malaysian International Fashion Awards in 2003.[3]

Chandran has also started introducing Europe to his couture with a boutique at swanky Knightsbridge, London.

His creations are drawn from Chinese, Malay, Indian and other eastern cultures. He regularly does shows around the world, although he does tailor his overseas ranges to be more daring than his range for Malaysia. Bernard believes in the importance of creativity, confidence and vision. "I believe in myself. If my heart feels right then I will go with what it says"

"My inspiration comes from my customers...how they move, how they talk, their attitudes, their lifestyles. When I first meet a new customer, I make her understand that I am here to make you look good," [4] Chandran's favourite designers are Valentino "For his femininity and finishing", and Galliano "He has a great spirit".

[edit] Family

He is happily married to one of his former Malaysian Indian models, Datin Mary Lourdes, and has five children. He is intensely proud of his Indian heritage and has many portraits in his home of him and his family regaled in extravagant historical Indian garb.

[edit] Awards

  • He became the first Malaysian to win the 'Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000' in 1991.
  • He was voted Designer of the Year by the Malaysian International Fashion Awards in 2003.[5]
  • He received his honorific, Datuk, in 2006 when he was awarded the Seri Indera Mahkota Pahang (SIMP) by the Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Pahang, Malaysia.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/mm/Thursday/Flip/20070503142914/Article/index_html
  2. ^ Welcome To i-ZEN
  3. ^ http://www.bernardchandran.com.my/press/newsmifacreate.htm
  4. ^ Fropper.com - The Lounge: The "Prince of Fashion" - Bernard Chandran
  5. ^ http://www.bernardchandran.com.my/press/newsmifacreate.htm
  6. ^ Abdullah heads awards list