Melinda Looi
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| Melinda Looi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Nationality | Malaysian |
| Education | La Salle School of Fashion, Montreal |
| Labels | Melinda Looi |
| Awards | Designer of the Year 2004, 2006 (Malaysian International Fashion Awards, MIFA) |
Melinda Looi (born as Looi Lai Yee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is an award-winning fashion designer famous for her signature avant-garde and vintage style. She has won numerous accolades; the most recent award being the prestigious Designer of the Year Award for the second time at the Malaysian International Fashion Week in 2006. [1]
She has three distinct brands to her name, which are: Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and selected boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Besides working on her own fashion labels, Melinda is also involved in numerous and very diverse collaborations reaching from charities and eco-friendly events [2] to art projects as well as collaborations with brands such as L`Oréal , LEVI’s, Swatch,…and many more.
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[edit] 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.[3]
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.
[edit] Fashion Business
Mellooi Creation was formed in the year 2000 to take the designer’s creations to greater horizons while also strengthening the brands. Today, a private limited status has been formulated and Mellooi Creation Sdn. Bhd. was created to further develop business opportunities for Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-a-Porter, and MELL in local and international markets.
Being part of the multi-racial and multi-cultural country that is Malaysia (Malaysia’s population consists of 62% Malays, 24% Chinese and 8% Indians, with other minorities and indigenous peoples) she has consistently drawn inspiration from this rich cultural diversity. Lately, she has been participating in the Islamic Fashion Festivals[4] in Jakarta, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern. [5]
[edit] Brands
Melinda Looi Couture
Melinda Looi Couture is the designer’s top of the line collection under the brand. It is made to measure exclusive clothes with the usage of the finest quality materials such as French laces and silk-chiffons. The line is also extended to sophisticated bridal gowns with rich fabrics and luxurious details. The Melinda Looi Couture Showroom is located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where the couture collections can be found and the designer herself welcomes local and international clientele.
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter is her collection of ready-to-wear evening dresses in a series of cocktail dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories. The collection has garnered wide popularity among socialites, celebrities, office ladies, modern housewives and those seeking for young, trendy and stylish apparels.
MELL offers an alternative wardrobe to people seeking casual wear. Its trademark has been their multi-faceted designs where a single design can be transformed into numerous other designs. Their line is available in Malaysian outlets.
[edit] Family
Melinda has been happily married since 2003 to German born, Dirk Luebbert, who is the Managing Director of Mellooi Creation. They currently have one child with another one the way.
[edit] Awards
- Designer of the Year 2006, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
- Designer of the Year 2004, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
- Most Dynamic Designer 2003, MIFA, Kuala Lumpur
- Asia Pacifica Young Designer Award 2000, Hong Kong [6]
- Winter Wedding Dress Contest 1997, Canada
- White Creation Award 1997, Canada
- ASEAN Designer Award 1995, Singapore
- Cotton Award 1995, Japan
- Malaysia Young Designer Award 1995, Kuala Lumpur
[edit] References
- ^ Press Release - Melinda Looi
- ^ " Eco Friendly Attire, Anyone?" New Straits Times, 5 December, 2005
- ^ Darshini Singam, "New chick on the block gets rave reviews", Graduan 2004
- ^ "Islamic Fashion to the fore", The Star, June 22, 2007
- ^ Clarence Fernandez, “Islamic fashion not only for faithful, designer says”, Reuters, November 19, 2007
- ^ "Malaysian Designer Melinda Looi Wins the Best Collection Award at the Asia Pacific Young Fashion Designers Show"
