Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran is a name that needs no introduction. Some hail him as the King of Fashion and to most, he’s one of Malaysia’s most fashionable men on Instagram (with a beautiful family to boot). But, truth be told, it’s his foothold in the Asian royal households that make him a fashion force to be reckoned with.
The pandemic took a toll on everyone but Dato’ Sri Bernard is not one to mope around. He immersed himself in his work and while retrospectively recalling his journey as a fashion designer, he conceptualised an exhibition to celebrate his 34 years in the industry.
“This is my Covid-19 project, a reminder that there is still beauty in the world, a bit of sparkle in times of darkness—the dream in reality,” he ruminates.
The ‘Bernard Chandran: Dreams & Reality’ exhibition at Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur features about 150 masterpieces by the master couturier, all properly segmented into 16 rooms – All White Now, Retro Futurism, Crystal Chic, In a Cinch, Silk Route, Cheongsamku, Petang Raya, Print a Porter, Popstars, Figure, Passage, The Studio, Totally Bernard, WIP, Nostalgia and finally, a preview of his latest Spring/Summer ’21 Collection.
The Studio is a replica of his atelier, and this is where workshops, fashion talks and a Masterclass with the man himself will be hosted at. There’s a bar thrown in for good measure together with a pop-up store where face masks and tropical-cool silk shirts made from his personal collection of scarves and fabrics will be up for sale.
This exhibition is not just a celebration of his craft through three decades, but it’s a toast to his Asian heritage and the staple in Malaysian fashion calendar – his annual Petang Raya collection. In case you didn’t know, Dato’ Sri Bernard is now the owner of Figure, a 40-year-old tailoring institution in Bukit Bintang. With this acquisition, together with his years of experience in couture creation, he hopes to fuse womenswear with menswear and venture into new waters.
“I always believe that knowledge needs to be shared to inspire and create a dynamic community that pushes each other creatively. The learning doesn’t stop for me, but it is time for me to open my own fashion school. I truly believe the more you teach, the better you will be at your craft. This is my next chapter, my new dream,” he states.
‘Bernard Chandran: Dreams & Reality’ will run from December 7 to January 15, 2021 at Level 2, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur from 11am to 6pm daily. More information, visit website here.
