“I want to dress more celebrities,” Khoon Hooi declares when asked about the number of international stars seen wearing his creations on various red carpets across the globe. It is all part of his goal of taking his namesake label and making it a global brand.
“We aren’t in a fashion capital,” he explains. “And if you want to do fashion, you need more exposure. And only Hollywood can give you that exposure, which will then flow back to your brand.”
That his name has gone international may seem a huge accomplishment given the fact Khoon Hooi frequently talks about his modest background, growing up in a small town. Back then, he knew he wanted to work in fashion. His early introduction to the industry had come from magazines, the pages of which, showcased the designs of veteran designer Alvin Tang. It was only then that he learnt the concept of a fashion designer and was sure that it was what he wanted to be.
He had the talent as he was good in art but more than that, he had the vision of owning his own brand.
