Renowned for his elegant designs and meticulous attention to detail, Ivan Young has carved a distinctive path in the world of luxury fashion. Originally from Guangzhou, China, his journey from a fashion graduate to an internationally recognised designer is marked by passion, perseverance and a deep respect for craftsmanship. In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Ivan shares how his upbringing, creative process and collaborative efforts with co-founders Jane and Elle Tan have shaped both his personal growth and the evolution of the brand that bears his name.
Ivan Young, a fashion designer originally from Guangzhou, China, graduated with a first-class Bachelor of Arts in Fashion from South China Agricultural University in 2013. “The brand IVAN YOUNG was founded by two sisters, Jane Tan and Elle Tan, who decided to name the luxury women’s wear brand after me in 2016. The brand is known for its feminine designs and premium silk materials.”
Growing up in Guangzhou, Ivan was inspired by the rich cultural heritage and thousands of years of history in China. “I was amazed by the exceptional craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations,” says Ivan enthusiastically. “This deeply instilled in me a passion for detail and quality, which continues to shape my design philosophy today.”
The business started humbly in 2017 and launching his debut collection online was a significant turning point that brought immediate attention to the Middle Eastern market. “Shortly after, I was honoured to be invited to present my collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur in year 2018. In 2022, the Arab Fashion Council also invited us to showcase our designs at the prestigious Arab Fashion Couture Week,” says the talented fashion designer.
“Over the years, I have had the privilege of dressing many celebrities, such as Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, Saweetie, Heidi Klum, Carly Rae Jepson, Quinta Brunson and many more, which has been incredibly rewarding. I believe that each and every moment along this journey is pivotal, and I truly cherish every one of them.”
The fashion industry is always challenging, and luxury fashion is even more so. Breaking into this market required constant effort, including continuously seeking new ideas and inspiration for each collection. “Together with Jane Tan and Elle Tan, we collaborated closely on marketing strategy, customer relations, pricing, visual identity, brand building, B2B partnerships, opening our first physical store in Kuala Lumpur, managing the website, and serving our customers,” shares Ivan. “We started from scratch, self-funded the business, made mistakes along the way and learned valuable lessons from each experience. To overcome these challenges, the key has been to embrace those mistakes, learn from them and keep moving forward.”
Ivan’s inspiration comes from constantly exploring new luxurious materials and intricate embellishments, and seeing his designs worn by celebrities worldwide keeps him motivated. “I am especially inspired by Jane Tan, our creative director, who leads every single collection with incredible determination and passion. Despite being a mother, she works tirelessly day in and day out. I deeply respect her dedication—she truly lives life to the fullest. We play hard when it’s time to play, work hard when it’s time to work and enjoy every moment to the fullest. We are all blessed with life, and it’s important to both enjoy it and express it through our work.”
“I am guided by a commitment to quality, attention to detail and creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces that combine artistry with wearability,” he says passionately. “Success for me is creating timeless pieces that resonate emotionally with clients and expanding the brand globally while maintaining craftsmanship integrity. I aspire to further expand the brand’s presence physically worldwide to offer customers a seamless and luxurious shopping experience everywhere.”
Ivan’s aim in the next few years is to grow their international retail partnerships. “I plan to continue innovating in design and materials to set new standards in luxury fashion.”
“In today’s highly saturated market, my advice is simple: focus on the specific group of people you want to reach. Understand how to connect with them effectively, learn how to sell your products in a way that resonates and most importantly, build lasting relationships that keep them coming back. That’s the key to sustained success.
