Dubai World Cup gives designer inspiration

Fashion designer extraordinaire Bernard Chandran has drawn inspiration from the Style Stakes at this year's Dubai World Cup.

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the designer said he didn't have enough time to take in the "breath-taking" amount of style at the annual race event.

'Best research'

Having graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the Paris American Academy and at L'Union Des Chambers Syndicales Parisiennes, Paris, Chandran is over-qualified to comment but says he "just couldn't believe his eyes".

He said: "Going to the Dubai races was the best research I have done in a long time! The ladies were outstanding and the outfits and style options were simply breath-taking.

"It was great for me because it allowed me to get a real sense of what works in the Middle East and specifically in Dubai and the UAE."

Chandran designs and produces clothes for customers all over the world but said he was particularly interested in what is happening in the UAE because it is so international and exciting.

Challenging

He said: "Designing clothes for a Muslim country always adds an extra element. Of course it is slightly more challenging as you have the culture to understand and interpret."

Chandran is a prominent Malaysian designer and is often referred to as Malaysia's "Prince of Fashion".

A world-class designer, Chandran was immediately recognised and soon became the first non-European to win the coveted Silk Cut Young Designers Award and the Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000 in 1991.

Visiting Dubai for a one-off and debut fashion show to launch the House of Portier at a glamorous gala dinner at the One&Only Royal Mirage, Chandran told tabloid! why Dubai is the perfect place to design clothes.

He said: "Dubai is at the height of a construction boom which provides an amazing amount of inspiration for many designers. To the naked or untrained eye it can look like a big mess of sand, rubble and concrete but if you look beyond that there is so much more.

"It's about textures and structure — the same as clothes. When I design clothes I look at the fabrics first and decide what they could make. Maybe in the same way an architect looks at the materials he has in order to build a new home or hotel."

Chandran's talents have earned him many faithful clients among Malaysia's elite most notably members of the Royal family.

Rich heritage

After graduating in 1993 in France, Chandran, who has both Indian and Chinese parents, came back to his home country and launched his own line aptly known as Bernard Chandran.

The French trained couturier is best known for his success in bridging the traditional lines of his rich cultural heritage to his contemporary creations. He was the first designer to revolutionise the traditional Malay Kebayas and Kurungs, turning them into modern, fashionable and wearable outfits.

He said: "If I'm totally honest I have been so successful because I had a passion. But unlike many fashion designers who say they were simply born to design, this is not the case for me. I wanted to become rich and I possessed a creative flair — the rest, as they say, is history.

"But this said, it's funny how things change. In the beginning making money was important to me and now it's all about the fashion and style. I love that I've become famous for what I do but that also means not everyone can afford to wear my clothes. Sometimes I look at youngsters in Malaysia and wish they could all wear my clothes. They love them but cannot afford them — but I guess we can't have it all ways."

The creative designer's extraordinary talent has earned him numerous awards and accolades including the Monsieur Style Awards 1997, the prestigious Maurice Lacroix Recognition Award in Paris 2000, the Designer of the Year at Malaysian International Fashion Awards (MIFA) in 2003, Master of His Craft by Malaysia Tatler, Brand Laureate 2007 (Best Brands in Fashion — Haute Couture) and many others.

Signature style

His signature style combines a sharp, silhouette and sexy femininity with an edgy slant. His creations use exquisite fabrics and custom-made embellishments which are eye-catching and quirky. Having appeared at London Fashion Week for the past three years, the Bernard Chandran label is marketed in Europe, the Far East and now, Dubai. For more information about Bernard Chandran in Dubai, visit www.houseofportier.com

House of Portier

House of Portier is a comprehensive Lifestyle Consultancy launched by Puspa Portier here in Dubai.

The consultancy brings together style leaders in fashion, art, interiors, superior automobiles, yachts, and all other elements of high living.

Luxury

Collectable high end cars such as the DBS Aston Martin were displayed at the House of Portier launch and were available to buy through the House of Portier Automobile Trading Division.

Luxury and elegance is guaranteed with only connoisseurs and experts selected as collaborators with House of Portier.