Melinda Looi
Encyclopedia
Melinda Looi is an award-winning fashion designer famous for her signature avant-garde and vintage style. She has won numerous accolades; 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 .
She has three distinct brands to her name, which are: Melinda Looi Couture
, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and selected boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her latest addition is a sub-line called MELL BASICS consisting of must-have basics made from certified Organic Cotton.
Besides working on her own fashion labels, Melinda is also involved in numerous and very diverse collaborations reaching from charities and eco-friendly events to art projects as well as collaborations with brands such as L'Oréal
, Levi's, Swatch
,…and many more.
as she wanted to become an artist. However, her parents were against it as it was too risky and thus decided upon the next best thing, fashion.
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.
Within the short span of her ten years of creating unique story-telling 'art pieces', the designer's prêt-a-porter wear and couture line have won an international clientele from the U.S.A, Middle East
, South Africa
, China
, Taiwan
, Singapore
, Hong Kong
and Malaysia. Her clients range from socialites to the working professionals, and royalty to celebrities like Cameron Diaz
, Britney Spears
and Mena Suvari
.
Her passion for culture, theatrics and costume culture is reflected in her designs - the gothic
tradition of 'avant-garde' is her signature, and eclectic vintage is her handwriting. The designer has confessed her love for chiffon
, which she finds sexy and classy, as predominantly used in most of her creations.
Melinda’s favourite designer is Jean Paul Gaultier for his ever changing bold and adventurous style that dares to be different. One of her dreams is to establish a museum in Malaysia dedicated to the Malaysian fashion industry and the history of fashion.
Being part of the multi-racial and multicultural country that is Malaysia (Malaysia’s population consists of 62% Malays, 24% Chinese
and 8% India
ns, 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 in Jakarta
, Indonesia
and Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern.
Melinda Looi Couture is the designer’s top of the line collection under the brand. It is made to measure exclusive clothes with the usage of the finest quality materials such as French laces and silk-chiffons. The line is also extended to sophisticated bridal gowns with rich fabrics and luxurious details. The Melinda Looi Couture Showroom is located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where the couture collections can be found and the designer herself welcomes local and international clientele.
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter is her collection of ready-to-wear evening dresses in a series of cocktail dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories. The collection has garnered wide popularity among socialites, celebrities, office ladies, modern housewives and those seeking for young, trendy and stylish apparels. Since 2009 this line also offers ready-to-wear bridal gowns.
She has three distinct brands to her name, which are: Melinda Looi Couture
Haute couture
Haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses,...
, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and selected boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her latest addition is a sub-line called MELL BASICS consisting of must-have basics made from certified Organic Cotton.
Besides working on her own fashion labels, Melinda is also involved in numerous and very diverse collaborations reaching from charities and eco-friendly events to art projects as well as collaborations with brands such as L'Oréal
L'Oréal
The L'Oréal Group is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company. With its registered office in Paris and head office in the Paris suburb of Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, it has developed activities in the field of cosmetics...
, Levi's, Swatch
Swatch
Swatch is a brand name for a line of wrist watches from the Swatch Group, a Swiss conglomerate with vertical control of the production of Swiss watches and related products...
,…and many more.
Education and Early Years
Melinda Looi was born into a family where her mother was an illustrious tailor. She had no plans to venture into fashionFashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
as she wanted to become an artist. However, her parents were against it as it was too risky and thus decided upon the next best thing, fashion.
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
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1998, Melinda returned to Malaysia and worked for her parents’ business for a year before venturing out on her own.
Within the short span of her ten years of creating unique story-telling 'art pieces', the designer's prêt-a-porter wear and couture line have won an international clientele from the U.S.A, Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Malaysia. Her clients range from socialites to the working professionals, and royalty to celebrities like Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
, Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
and Mena Suvari
Mena Suvari
Mena Alexandra Suvari is an American actress, fashion designer, and model. Shortly after beginning her career as a model, she appeared in guest roles on 1990's television shows such as Boy Meets World and High Incident...
.
Her passion for culture, theatrics and costume culture is reflected in her designs - the gothic
Gothic fashion
Gothic fashion is a clothing style worn by members of the Goth subculture; a dark, sometimes morbid, eroticized fashion and style of dress. Typical Gothic fashion includes dyed black hair, black lips and black clothes. Both male and female goths wear dark eyeliner and dark fingernails. Styles are...
tradition of 'avant-garde' is her signature, and eclectic vintage is her handwriting. The designer has confessed her love for chiffon
Chiffon
Chiffon may refer to:* Chiffon , a type of fabric* Chiffon cake, a light, fluffy cake* Chiffonade, a French term for the cutting of herbs or leafy green vegetables into long, thin strips* The Chiffons, girl group of the 1960s...
, which she finds sexy and classy, as predominantly used in most of her creations.
Melinda’s favourite designer is Jean Paul Gaultier for his ever changing bold and adventurous style that dares to be different. One of her dreams is to establish a museum in Malaysia dedicated to the Malaysian fashion industry and the history of fashion.
Fashion Business
Mellooi Creation was formed in the year 2000 to take the designer’s creations to greater horizons while also strengthening the brands. Today, 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
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
and 8% India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
ns, 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 in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern.
Brands
Melinda Looi CoutureMelinda Looi Couture is the designer’s top of the line collection under the brand. It is made to measure exclusive clothes with the usage of the finest quality materials such as French laces and silk-chiffons. The line is also extended to sophisticated bridal gowns with rich fabrics and luxurious details. The Melinda Looi Couture Showroom is located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where the couture collections can be found and the designer herself welcomes local and international clientele.
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter
Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter is her collection of ready-to-wear evening dresses in a series of cocktail dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories. The collection has garnered wide popularity among socialites, celebrities, office ladies, modern housewives and those seeking for young, trendy and stylish apparels. Since 2009 this line also offers ready-to-wear bridal gowns.
Family
Melinda has been happily married since 2003 to German born, Dirk Luebbert, who is the Managing Director of Mellooi Creation. They currently have two children with another on the way.Awards
- Designer of the Year 2009, Mercedes Benz STYLO Fashion Awards, Kuala Lumpur
- Designer of the Year 2006, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
- Designer of the Year 2004, MIFW, Kuala Lumpur
- Most Dynamic Designer 2003, MIFA, Kuala Lumpur
- Asia Pacifica Young Designer Award 2000, Hong Kong
- Winter Wedding Dress Contest 1997, Canada
- White Creation Award 1997, Canada
- ASEAN Designer Award 1995, Singapore
- Cotton Award 1995, Japan
- Malaysia Young Designer Award 1995, Kuala Lumpur