First comes passion, then comes expression. And finally, for those who work for it: manifestation. This much we gather from some of Malaysia’s most well-known celebrities and social media influencers, who have built up their personal brand either through blogging, content creation or showbiz, before finding an entrepreneurial drive to create something tangible of their own.
The local fashion industry consists of many such trajectories, being one of the low barrier-to-entry markets. You know their names, now you can wear their style too via these Malaysian fashion brands founded by KL’s most stylish, the likes of Vivy Yusof, Jane Chuck and Yaya Zahir. Scroll on find out more.
Motherchuckers
Founded by blogger turned social media influencer cum entrepreneur Jane Lau, or better known as Jane Chuck, Motherchuckers is a gender-neutral fashion brand that embodies self-love and positivity. Known for its range of premium jumpers, T-shirts and sweat sets, the brand reflects Jane’s own loungewear style and sporty aesthetic. Each new drop is limited-edition and will not be restocked once it is sold out, creating a FOMO bubble that keeps customers coming back for more. W chuck-s.co
NIKO & CLARE
Newest to this list is the brainchild of singer, YouTuber and content creator Charis Ow and her business partner Niniek Sugiarti: NIKO & CLARE (pseudonyms of their initials) – which offers quality apparel for women and their children. Inspired by their mutual love of fashion and a gap in the market for “Mommy and Me” clothing, the duo set out to design comfortable yet stylish matching pieces for mother and child. The first “We Celebrate _____” Collection focuses on ruffles, ribbons and bows with a spring and summer-inspired colour palette. W nikoandclare.com
You may also like: #StayHome and stay radiant with Charis Ow
Asly
Colourful, oversized and original – those three words come to mind when speaking of Asly by TV host Yaya Zahir. Mirroring her own streetwear-savvy style, Asly draws South Korean influences with regards to its baggy silhouettes and modest designs. Her unisex collections consists mostly of T-shirts and sweaters in vibrant pops of colour, distinguished by the brand logo in bold typefaces. W aslyofficial.com
Kulet
Having worked together in online retailing, social media it-girls Aina Syahirah and Julie Anne Kang – two friends who go way back to primary school – decided to embark on their own fashion start-up together. Thus, Kulet was born in 2016, offering minimal footwear with a focus on nude and neutral colourways. Made with comfort and timelessness in mind, the range includes both men’s and women’s footwear, encompassing sandals, flats and heels. W kulet.co
Fazbulous
You may have guessed from the name of the brand that its founder is none other than actress, singer and TV host Nur Fazura. Years after landing lead roles in Gol & Gincu and Kayangan, Fazura leveraged on her fame to launch Fazbulous in 2010, offering a range of modest apparel, Muslimah clothing and fan merchandise. It now also sells scarves and features fragrance, skincare and beauty categories. W fazbulous.com
Fondest
After starring in multiple Jinnyboy films and rising to fame on her own social media platforms, Josephine Yap launched Fondest in 2019 to share her love of fashion with others. At Fondest, the designs are made to compliment a women’s body with elegance and femininity in mind. Each piece in every collection is limited to 150 pieces only, ensuring exclusivity while promoting slow fashion and less waste. W fondest.com
Naelofar
In 2014, actress, TV host, model and entrepreneur Noor Neelofa launched Naelofar, offering a range of stylish hijab, apparel, bags and accessories. Over the years, she has worked with various international brands and amassed a loyal following to become the most followed Malaysian celebrity on Instagram as of 2021. Unsurprisingly, her position as the poster girl for hijabis has contributed to the wild success of her range of hijabs and modest collections. W naelofar.com
Lola
Established in 2019 by blogger turned social media influencer Nana Law, Lola initially started as a rental gown company offering bridal wear and evening dresses sourced from around the world. Last year, the brand branched out to launch their own ready-to-wear line as well as a rewear collection upcycled and reworked from vintage pieces. The former collection comprises of cute loungewear and dresses, whilst the latter features exclusive one-off tops and sets. W lola.com.my
dUCk
Vivy Yusof needs no introduction as an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of one of the largest online retailers for modest fashion in Southeast Asia, FashionValet. But few realise that she started out as a blogger in her university days, gaining a steady following that is closely tied to her success in business today. After FashionValet, she launched dUCk – a brand selling headscarves that almost always sells out instantly. dUCk has since expanded to include bags, accessories and cosmetics. W fashionvalet.com