Melinda Looi
Melinda Looi Lai Yee (Chinese: 呂例霓; born c. 1973[1] in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is a fashion designer known for her avant-garde and vintage style. She won the title Designer of the Year three times, twice at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards Malaysian International Fashion Week and latest in 2009 at Mercedes Benz Stylo Fashion Awards .[2]
Melinda Looi | |
---|---|
Born | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Nationality | Malaysian |
Education | La Salle School of Fashion, Montreal |
Label(s) | MELINDA LOOI COUTURE, MELINDA LOOI, MELL, MELL BASICS |
Awards | Designer of the Year 2004, 2006, 2009 (Malaysian International Fashion Awards & Mercedes Benz STYLO Fashion Awards]) |
She has three distinct brands, which are: Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her latest addition is a sub-line called MELL BASICS consisting of basics made from cotton.
Education
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]
Fashion business
Mellooi Creation was formed in the year 2000. 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 multicultural 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, London, New York, Monte Carlo, Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern.
References
- Cheong, Bervin (14 August 2019). "Prolific designer Melinda Looi keeps Malaysian fashion alive". The Star. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
Melinda Looi hardly needs any introduction. The 46-year-old is one of Malaysia’s most popular designers and has been in the trade for close to two decades – and is still going strong.
- Press Release – Melinda Looi Archived 21 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- Darshini Singam, "New chick on the block gets rave reviews" Archived 19 April 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Graduan 2004
- "Islamic Fashion to the fore" Archived 11 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The Star, 22 June 2007