The country’s fashion scene is thriving, with homegrown brands redefining style through innovation, cultural heritage and contemporary craftsmanship. From modest wear to high fashion, streetwear to sustainable designs, local labels are making waves with their unique perspectives and creative approaches. These brands not only celebrate Malaysia’s rich diversity but also push creative boundaries, blending traditional elements with modern aesthetics. With a strong emphasis on quality, individuality and storytelling, Malaysian designers are shaping the industry with fresh ideas and distinctive designs. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its pick of the top 10 homegrown fashion brands that are redefining local fashion. As the demand for unique and meaningful fashion grows, these brands continue to set new standards, proving that local talent is driving the industry forward.
Ghostboy Club
Founded by David Han and Cyii Cheng, Ghostboy Club is an award-winning contemporary Malaysian fashion label that has risen to prominence for its edgy and unapologetic designs. Established in 2020, Ghostboy has become synonymous with clubwear for the dynamic and rebellious youth of Kuala Lumpur. The brand is celebrated for its unique approach to design, empowering individuals to embrace authenticity over conformity. Ghostboy’s designs are characterised by their unconventional silhouettes and attention to detail. The brand values storytelling in design and draws inspiration from nightlife culture, music, art and obscure trends. Ghostboy was founded at a time of growing demand for labels that could blend streetwear with high fashion elements while maintaining an authentic voice. Its success since then is a testament to its ability to resonate with a generation that values creativity, individuality and self-expression.
Bash Clothing
Founded in 2014 by best friends Cecilia Ooi and Maxine Khor, Bash Clothing is more than just a fashion brand—it’s a tribute to confidence, individuality and self-expression. Fashion at Bash isn’t static; it evolves with every woman, embracing growth and change. Understanding that no woman stays the same forever, the brand creates versatile pieces that seamlessly adapt to every stage of life, ensuring effortless transitions between different roles and occasions. From polished workwear to effortlessly chic off-duty looks, Bash is designed for those who hustle hard, embrace change and express themselves boldly. Whether stepping into a power meeting, heading for a night out, or packing for a spontaneous getaway, Bash ensures every woman moves through life with confidence and style. Beyond clothing, Bash is a thriving community of like-minded women who believe in empowerment through fashion.
INNAI & Co
Founded by Izrin Ismail, INNAI & Co is a meticulously curated platform for fashion discovery and beyond. It showcases the best of INNAI, INNAI RED and its unique collaborations, offering an exceptional in-season assortment with a local touch for a global audience. Established 21 years ago, INNAI was born from a family’s deep love for batik and urban aesthetics. Pushing the boundaries of traditional artistry, the brand masterfully combines hand-drawn batik craftsmanship and fine fabrics with contemporary designs and silhouettes. Its extension brand, INNAI RED celebrates the art of bespoke fashion with a directional approach to traditional evening wear. Designed at the intersection of femininity and modern sophistication, its couture-influenced creations offer a seamless blend of trend-led aesthetics and timeless allure.
Caro Chia
Founded by Caro Chia in 2020, the eponymous brand is deeply rooted in contemporary art movements, offering an authentic and distinguished presence in today’s fashion world. Caro Chia began her journey as a designer by seamlessly blending art and fashion. The brand continuously explores the dynamic relationship between art and fashion, using found materials and textiles to craft innovative silhouettes. Experimental construction meets sophisticated, poetic womenswear in subtle colourways, resulting in pieces that feel both modern and timeless. Each collection marries precise tailoring with sculptural embellishments, transforming textiles into wearable art. At its core, Caro Chia embraces art-making as an essential part of its creative process. Focused on pushing boundaries in pattern-making and design, the brand reimagines how fashion interacts with the body, creating new and exciting possibilities.
Gérson Batik
Gérson Batik, led by Soong Xin-Ee, has carved a niche in the fashion world, earning recognition in various media. What started as a humble home tailoring business in Klang, Malaysia, quickly evolved into a brand known for its love and dedication to Malaysian batik. Initially crafting custom-made batik dresses for Chinese New Year, Gérson soon embraced modern batik designs while preserving its cultural essence. In 2018, the brand successfully transitioned from offline to an Instagram-based store, making batik fashion more accessible. It began with custom-made batik tops and dresses for women. Today, Gérson’s collection features batik shirts, batik neckties and batik pocket squares for men, as well as batik dresses and batik shirts for kids. The brand also offers matching family batik sets and even batik dog bandanas, blending tradition with contemporary style.
BEHATI
Founded by Kel Wen, BEHATI is defined as the value of having ‘heart’ in the Malay language, to represent the heart of culture and the Malaysian spirit. Since 2018, BEHATI has been pushing boundaries of traditional cultural wear of Malaysia, with innovative approach on contemporary traditional creations by Kel Wen. Known for the viral oversized ‘Baju Melayu’, the brand recreates traditional garments with a modern take on its construction and details. BEHATI aims to move Malaysian culture forward with its multiracial identity as its roots. Blending all races of Malaysia to explore the Malaysian identity. BEHATI creates a vision of marriage between cultures to signify unity, harmony and blessings. Through the advancement of techniques and style, the brand is committed to preserve the traditional crafts of Malaysia.
Khoon Hooi
Khoon Hooi is a modern occasion wear label that brings new luxury to women worldwide. Founded in 1999 by Malaysian designer Lee Khoon Hooi, the brand masterfully blends technical craftsmanship with an artisanal touch. Each piece showcases a striking play on silhouettes, prints and colours, creating effortlessly elegant designs. Since 2010, Khoon Hooi has been a staple at Paris Fashion Week trade shows, solidifying its presence in the global fashion scene. The brand’s exquisite creations have graced Hollywood’s biggest events, worn by celebrities at movie premieres and prestigious award ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and Vanity Fair’s Oscar Parties in Los Angeles. With its commitment to refined craftsmanship and innovative design, Khoon Hooi continues to redefine modern luxury in occasion wear.
Gene Martino
Since its inception in 1996, Gene Martino has championed modest wear as a timeless style choice in Malaysia. Dedicated to creating designs that never go out of fashion, the brand emphasises high-quality fabrics and craftsmanship. Its philosophy revolves around three core principles – ”Simple, Essential, and Universal”—ensuring its pieces suit all generations for any occasion. While Gene Martino’s collections highlight traditional Malay garments, they transcend racial and cultural boundaries, making them universally appealing. The brand takes pride in showcasing local elements on the international stage, celebrating Malaysia’s rich heritage. From songket to batik, baju kebaya to baju kurung, each creation reflects the beauty of a nation built on diversity. By blending tradition with modernity, Gene Martino continues to shape the modest wear industry, offering elegant and versatile designs that resonate across cultures.
Li’s Atelier
Founded by Ong Li Hui, Li’s Atelier is a clothing brand dedicated to crafting timeless pieces for men and women who value quality, comfort, style and sustainability. Emphasising eco-conscious fashion, the brand uses natural fabrics like linen to create garments designed to last for years. Each piece is thoughtfully designed with a focus on functionality and versatility, ensuring effortless wear for any occasion. Beyond aesthetics, Li’s Atelier upholds a strong commitment to ethical craftsmanship. Every garment is meticulously made with attention to detail, ensuring exceptional quality while supporting fair wages for its makers. With a growing presence, the brand caters to a global audience, bringing its sophisticated and sustainable designs to fashion-conscious individuals worldwide. By blending sustainability with refined style, Li’s Atelier redefines everyday wear, offering timeless fashion that looks good and feels even better—for both the wearer and the planet.
CAMELLIA
CAMELLIA is a sports and activewear brand dedicated to curating stylish and functional apparel for yoga, spin, training, and everything in between. With a mission to inspire girls and women to dress up, show up and never give up, the brand blends performance with confidence. Known for its chic activewear, CAMELLIA has redefined workout staples with sophisticated and versatile designs. Each piece is thoughtfully created to make women look effortlessly stylish while feeling their absolute best. To ensure the perfect fit, every item is carefully curated and individually wear-tested by the team. Designed for a seamless studio-to-street transition, CAMELLIA’s timeless and beautiful pieces empower women to move freely – embracing both comfort and elegance in every step of their journey. With a growing international presence, the brand continues to reach activewear enthusiasts across the globe, offering style and performance to a worldwide community.