Join legendary fashion designer Dato Sri Bernard Chandran as he reflects on his 30-year journey in fashion.
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00:00You know, sometimes you have to go out of the country to appreciate your own country.
00:04The eldest son of the eldest son of the Indian family and the Chinese family want to be a fashion designer is a lunatic.
00:08Are you mad? They will say. That is not a business.
00:11Looking at you today, I feel so underdressed. I need to look better for you today.
00:15Dato Sri, I'm sorry. I didn't look better. I didn't dress better.
00:17That's all right. As long as you are now inspired, you make my day.
00:22To feel better, you know.
00:23I'm not a trend follower. I'm a trend sector.
00:26So that you dress sometimes that people just don't get it.
00:30Welcome to another episode of Life Confessions and my guest today is yet another iconic person.
00:43Now, this is a fashion icon. The one, the only Dato Sri Bernard Chandran.
00:50Thank you for joining us.
00:51Oh, pleasure is mine. Thank you.
00:53It's been, I think, half a year since we last spoke to you actually on The Light Breakfast Show.
00:59Yes.
01:00Where we found out you are a big fan of Nirvana.
01:03Yes, of course. It's mad, right?
01:05Yes, there's so many aspects to you. There's more, there's so many sides to Dato Sri Bernard Chandran.
01:12Because 30 years ago is how cool it is.
01:14Yeah.
01:15You know, that music is like really like...
01:18Tell us more about who is, who is the Bernard Chandran who's away from the fashion designer.
01:23If like, if we took that one, I mean, it's going to be very hard to separate the fashion designer Bernard Chandran.
01:29Yeah.
01:30But if we took one part of you out, what would be, what would be left to Bernard Chandran who is not the fashion designer?
01:36I would say like, obviously, I enjoy my kids and my family.
01:41So we do things like, like a lot of, they are quite interesting.
01:46So I learned a lot from them.
01:48From the younger, they have a different, what do you call it, different attitude and different needs.
01:56But now they're all graduated. So there's so much to learn from them, I think, you know.
02:00I, I, I, that keeps me youthful. Yeah.
02:04And obviously, of course, my parents are not around now lately.
02:07So that I also do a duty like as the elder son of the elder son to visit their sisters and my, my aunties, I would call them.
02:15Yeah.
02:15And then also get to know more about my far cousins.
02:18Yeah.
02:19Which is 50 ringgit t-shirts are very expensive to them.
02:22Right.
02:22So then I like here selling maybe 50,000 ringgit in an outfit.
02:26Yeah.
02:26So it's a very different, um, uh, uh, uh, mindset, but it's nice to see.
02:34And then, and, uh, the, the, the sitting with her and the known and, you know, and, you know, and, you know, it's just like more about, uh, uh, yeah, I think that is something that is really inspiring me for me to be a person.
02:47You know what I mean?
02:48Here I am somewhere sometime full of my, my client or whatever, their private jet or their beautiful home.
02:53And there it comes at a very simple house.
02:55Yeah.
02:56You know, a simple.
02:57So you remind yourself.
02:58Yes.
02:58Always.
02:58Yes.
02:59You always know.
03:00And make sure my sons, uh, follow me to involve sometime to see, then they will be very inspired to know their, uh, uh, family trees.
03:09Yeah.
03:09Also they created why we have cousins are like, I mean, my cousins are my far relative.
03:15You know, beyond, there's so many sides of you that we've learned about actually, right?
03:19Of course, you are very well known for being, uh, an iconic fashion designer, but beyond fashion, what other art forms or personal experiences influence your creativity and approach to design?
03:32I think, uh, inspiration is, uh, is like, uh, to me is like, uh, it's a mindset.
03:37You know what I mean?
03:38You know, there's no particular order or, or things that I, uh, I, I, I, I said, oh, this is the thing inspired me.
03:44Everything inspired me.
03:45Even this room.
03:46If I sit a little bit longer that if I have time, so that there's many things inspired me and why they put the tree and, and this kind of a light and this kind of this.
03:55So, and then all of a sudden you have, have like the way you put your carpets and, you know, so the lines are quite interesting.
04:00So where I put it, but it's not necessary I utilize as, as a print, or maybe it could be my embellishment or trade work, or it could be in my wall or, you know, things like that.
04:10So I, I get inspired.
04:12I'll give you an example.
04:13Uh, my third child, uh, about to born in 1998.
04:18And then my wife in this, uh, I mean, it's a delivery room.
04:22Anytime to deliver, legs are wide open, everything's like that.
04:25So I have a contraction machine beside her.
04:27Okay.
04:27And then she, because every time the pain come, the contraction machine is showing the, uh, what do you call the, the, the jagged thing?
04:34Yes.
04:35You know?
04:35Yeah.
04:36So I know the pain is coming, right?
04:38And then, then he's, then he's slow it down.
04:40Then I know she can, you know, then I can calm down.
04:43When the pain comes and I have to comfort her to be, okay, be strong or you know what, take a deep breath or something like that.
04:48But my head was like, oh my God, that is so beautiful.
04:52Ah, I can use it in my, my clothes.
04:54So to this, to this time, you call it like, uh, the, the finishing unfinished.
04:59But the time you see all the silhouettes, they have the, you know, you finish it, the bottom, like you fold it nicely.
05:04So wait, but I wanted the, the, the, the, uh, the jagged.
05:08So I aimed it as a jagged ring.
05:10So the wave that you saw for the contractions that your, that your wife was going through during your third child actually became inspiration.
05:18Yes, I utilized to all my clothes, the sleeve and the hand and that, that, that will develop.
05:23You do the first, can you imagine that, that in the chiffon or whatever, I ripped it off like that or sewing and embroidery, like the finishing.
05:29So it's not folding.
05:31So you have some sort of pattern.
05:32Then two layer, three layer, it comes up, it will be multiple.
05:35Then you put bead on the same thing.
05:37Then the best part is like today, of each, this age and time, you call it viral.
05:42But at that time, after three years, I do own my collection from modern to, to traditional outfit like that, the finishing.
05:48And you can travel to Southeast Asia where you go to people who related to our style, our tradition, like in Indonesia or Brunei.
05:55I see people wears that.
05:57It does inspire a lot of people around.
05:59So you feel like, you know what, that you've done, you've done something right, that people are enjoying that.
06:05That's how we should, in a way that I can't give you 50,000, but I can inspire you.
06:09Yeah, that's amazing how the life of your, your third child actually now is a part of so many other people's lives in the clothes that, yeah, that's amazing.
06:20My clients, they are, they are very aware, you know, because I have a client who, who they, they not only, they like fashion, but they also like the craft.
06:29So they, they understand.
06:30Then they see, then they see so many people have them.
06:32They say, oh, I don't want too many people have it, even to the market, they have it.
06:35But that is the, that is how it's fashion all about.
06:38It comes all the way from there.
06:40You know what I mean?
06:41That, that one person that you have to constantly create an inman.
06:44Wow.
06:44It's just anything could spark, you're constantly absorbing, jabbing.
06:48That's how I think minds are very powerful.
06:51What you want to talk about.
06:53If you crave for something, sitting and eating, you will crave and you get come more and more and more.
06:58So then, yeah.
07:00So that I like to play with the brain.
07:02Right.
07:02You know, and you've had an amazing life.
07:07There's just too much to highlight.
07:09Now, your journey from Malaysia to Paris.
07:12Yes.
07:12In the 1990s was pivotal.
07:14Yes.
07:15How did you, did your experiences there shape your vision for modernizing traditional Malay attire?
07:23And what has come to even reaching this point where we are at now?
07:26Like, did that initial experience play a part and play a role in that?
07:30What, okay.
07:31And can you imagine the 80s when I grew up with music videos?
07:35And that's how I like fashion.
07:37Because of the music videos and, you know, from all the rock stars and doing it.
07:42So we have very limited of access about seeing fashion.
07:46You know, if you have a fashion week in Europe.
07:48Yeah, Malaysia, that time in the 80s, you have the newspaper.
07:51Maybe it comes two weeks or three weeks later after the fashion week.
07:55And there's a little bit of a highlight of what's going on.
07:57Right.
07:57So you don't get much information.
07:58Then you wait till a few months to get the magazines.
08:01So as a student, the 16, 15, I really love fashion through music, as I said.
08:07And there's only one program called, what do you call it?
08:10Video fashion.
08:11Video fashion.
08:12You can Google now.
08:12It's amazing.
08:13There's 86 I discovered, you know.
08:15And before that, I always, the music videos that I always record and I enjoy the music is from like the top 40 UK, top 20 UK or top 10 and US.
08:27There's only two.
08:28And the fashion has come from the music is mostly from England, UK.
08:32So I thought I'm going to go to the city.
08:35But when video fashion came, then I realized, yes, UK fashion is like creativity.
08:42You know, there's like, there's like, to me, it's like, there's a lot of ideas.
08:49But something gave me in my heart, it's like kind of like a student fashion.
08:53But when I saw European fashion, like for example, especially Paris, I find it is craft.
08:57I find it is class, it is dignified.
09:00So I loved it.
09:01So, and I switched all my system.
09:03I want to go to Paris.
09:04Right.
09:05You know, but then that obviously that time that I don't have much resources and I'm very young.
09:10Then I told, I'm only 20, 20.
09:12When I go to Europe is when I'm 21.
09:14And I was saying that I will leave this country, Malaysia, and I won't come back because I'm
09:19going to go, I'm going to get freedom in there.
09:20So I left.
09:21When I went to Paris to study it, fantastic.
09:24So everything is good.
09:25But come to a history of costume, history of fashion, I'm studying something about Western
09:31culture, Western style, Western window, Western balcony and rock iron.
09:36They are beautiful, but it's nothing to do with me.
09:38I felt, you know, your culture.
09:42Yes.
09:42It's nothing to do with me and my culture, but I never want to come back.
09:45But after four years, I told my wife, Malaysia needs me.
09:48My country needs me.
09:49So I need to go back.
09:51You know, I will turn around.
09:52And on top of that, I had a friend, you know.
09:54So you go there, you know, sometimes you have to go out of the country to appreciate your
09:58own country.
09:59You know what I mean?
10:00So then you're very young.
10:01So it's normal for a young boy to just like, you know, to get out of the house.
10:05Then you move out.
10:06You realize your mom's amazing.
10:09So, yeah.
10:10So that, I would say that then I have a friend, he's from Australia.
10:14So he's going back for Christmas.
10:16I said, why don't you go to Malaysia?
10:17Malaysia is fantastic.
10:18You know, everything, Twin Towers coming up and blah, blah, blah.
10:21And he just said, okay, go.
10:22When he go, and he came back after Christmas in January, he just told me, listen, I went.
10:26I love it.
10:26But I love your food.
10:27But I think everybody dressed the same.
10:30You know, like the baju kurung was standard.
10:31And, you know, everybody is doing four meters and using sari to do the baju kurung.
10:36It's standard.
10:37I totally get him.
10:38I get upset.
10:39So I just, all this put in my, a point that I just said, when I go back, I will change them.
10:46That's the whole reason why you see why I have this, this Pertang Raya, a 2006, I have enough money.
10:53I will do a full-on show, total shows about our tradition and culture.
10:57Yeah.
10:58So yeah, contemporize them.
11:00That's what I learned in Europe.
11:01So to modernize things, you know.
11:03So yeah, yeah, that's the reason I came back.
11:05Wow.
11:06Yeah, to spin the game.
11:07Yeah.
11:07So like that time was the encouragement of like elder son of the elder son of Indian family and the Chinese family want to be a fashion designer.
11:14It's a lunatic.
11:16You know, are you mad?
11:17They will say, you know, so is that is not a business.
11:20You know, it's something that you like it, probably you forget it and they will be not going to be something that our part of the world will raise.
11:28So that I have to convince my parents and finally I get it.
11:32They supported me for sure that, you know, that time my Indian Chinese family can imagine.
11:37So they let me go, but they support me after that.
11:40Before that, it was try their best not to let me do.
11:42But they also, because why are they open-minded?
11:44First of all, they are Indian Chinese.
11:45They are not supposed to get married together at that time.
11:48They're not allowed, but they did.
11:49They mean you're already a type of person who like kind of open-minded.
11:54So for that fashion, they allow in the end.
11:56Challenging what may have been considered the norm.
11:59Yes, exactly.
12:00Did that play a part in your worldview?
12:02Just by the fact that you are the product of a mixed marriage.
12:09Exactly.
12:10I would say yes, because constantly I hear when I talk to my, she's my best friend, my mom.
12:14So she will tell me how tough and how hard and how narrow-minded people are.
12:19You know, so that time.
12:21So she always teach me to see things openly.
12:23She's much more open than me even now.
12:27Yeah, sometimes, yeah, certain days I talk to her, she will just tell me something that I will spark.
12:30Oh my God.
12:31She's in the 80s.
12:32She's telling me something like, it's like so open-minded.
12:34You know, look at things.
12:35That's why, why I'm not choosing making a Chinese baju or something else.
12:41You know, they will say that, oh, a traditional Malay baju has nothing to do with me.
12:45People do ask me a question.
12:46I say that I just loved it.
12:48I thought that it's a silhouette that I enjoyed it.
12:52It's a long, two meters unique.
12:54I mean, a long tunic.
12:56I mean, you have a tunic dress and then you have a long skirt and how you contemporize them.
13:01It's so easy to see why you're the person that you are.
13:04Because even now, when you speak about your craft, you speak about it with so much passion, right?
13:10You've been able to create, in fact, iconic designs over the years.
13:14What's your personal philosophy behind each collection?
13:18And how do you stay true to yourself while still adapting to, you know, ever-changing trends in cases, you know, to stay relevant?
13:26It's like you'd be yourself, but you still also move.
13:29As I said, a mindset.
13:31And I look at everything openly.
13:33But obviously, first of all, I think that I studied, you know, one thing that I said, I'm not the kind of, call it a designer.
13:42I never put myself as a designer.
13:43Yeah, they call it a designer.
13:45But I always put this thing already pushing a really boundary and giving me myself.
13:51I always call myself when the day I landed here, back at home 30 years ago, I just say I'm a fashion creator.
13:57What is fashion creator means?
13:59You invent, you know?
14:01So every season, everything you create, you must always find out, okay, just say this Bernard Chandan t-shirt.
14:07Why my t-shirts are special?
14:09You know?
14:09So from every level, is there the texture of the fabrics?
14:12Or is there the cut?
14:13Is there the sleeve?
14:14Is there the stitching?
14:15So the collection, every time this is a question.
14:17And these are the things that I also sing to my teams.
14:21So everybody join Bernard Chandan, we always say why we are so special.
14:24So whenever they suggest something or do something, they always have something new.
14:28So like maybe we do a rayo collection, for example.
14:32Our sarong have a pocket.
14:33You know?
14:34And the pocket not necessary.
14:35Use your pocket.
14:36That's kind of like a...
14:37But at the same time, it had to be proportioned.
14:40And it had to be...
14:41You know what?
14:41It's not...
14:42Is that the mole of it, the outfit?
14:44You know?
14:45At the end of the day, you also want your client to wear the clothes.
14:48Not the clothes wear them.
14:49So all these are consideration.
14:50You know what I mean?
14:51It's not easy.
14:52I'm not saying it's easy.
14:54But then we're constantly pushing.
14:57You know?
14:57From embellishment, updated them.
14:59The stitching, the pattern making, you know?
15:01The sleeve, you know?
15:02So every level.
15:03Choose the new print.
15:05Why are all prints like that, you know?
15:06So obviously, I'm from Asia.
15:09We love diamond.
15:10We love print.
15:11We love shiny.
15:12We embrace them.
15:13You shouldn't feel like, oh my God, you're not trying to be cool.
15:15Trying to be a...
15:16What do you call?
15:17You are like geometric.
15:19No.
15:19But then when you can mix them up to make it a little more cool.
15:23So that the people who are employed to work or whatever, so I always contradict them.
15:27I don't choose a person like what I like and they have to like the thing what I like.
15:31So they totally contradict.
15:32They don't like diamond.
15:34They don't like print.
15:35They don't like colors.
15:37So we work together and make sure we will come up with something.
15:41Right.
15:42Wow.
15:43You know, I always get really inspired whenever you speak about, you know, your craft.
15:49And even looking at you today, I feel so underdressed.
15:52I needed to look better for you today.
15:54Dato Sri, I'm sorry.
15:55I didn't look better.
15:56I didn't dress better.
15:57As long as you are now inspired, you make my day.
16:01I feel better, you know.
16:02And it's obvious that you are showing, you are expressing yourself through what you wear as well, right?
16:08And also, you can, people say that in many cases, fashion is a way to not just express yourself,
16:14but to express a collective community as well.
16:17What are your thoughts on this?
16:19I think obviously fashion is very personal.
16:22It's up to you to how you want to, want the other person to see you.
16:30You know, some people be themselves, you know what I mean?
16:33But you have to be very strong-minded.
16:34Like for example, I'm not a trend follower.
16:37I'm a trendsetter.
16:39So that you dress sometimes that people just don't get it.
16:42But there are a lot of people would make fun or they have the opinion.
16:45You know, you can feel it.
16:46But it's because of your, because I loved it so much.
16:50Do I care?
16:51You know what I mean or not?
16:52Fashion change.
16:53You really like, I mean, fashion change means that it's also like the society,
16:57like for example, where you want to be, which group you want to be.
17:01So you dress to fit them in.
17:03You know what I mean or not?
17:04Like even, like for example, in the 50s, you see, they literally men's wear, for example,
17:09they wear the undergarment.
17:11Now we call it the undergarment, it's the t-shirt that you'll wear it out.
17:14So it changes every, every decade or every, what do you call, what do you call, every
17:23seasons, you know?
17:25So it's, I think that that is definitely some people, like if you want to like cheat yourself,
17:29like, you know, how do I, okay, I'll put it myself.
17:33If I wear a simple t-shirt and jeans, just a simple t-shirt and jeans, already I have
17:38the character of, I'm very confident about myself.
17:40When I would sit into a cafe or whatever, it's easier that people want to be my friend.
17:45They want to talk to me very easy.
17:47But now what I have, like with all the jewelry and certain look, then they will be like, oh,
17:52he looks nice, but you better don't go there.
17:54He probably is a big time drama queen.
17:55Look at him.
17:57So I know exactly how.
18:01So I, you know, in my black class, don't come here.
18:04So a lot of thought goes into even what you, before you walk out of the house, you know,
18:09today, this is what I need the world to see me as.
18:12Exactly.
18:13Yeah.
18:13And I enjoyed it because you know what, you are, you are representing yourself.
18:17Yeah.
18:17You know what I mean?
18:18So that then you, if you, if you, you know that I work with a lot of people and I know
18:22sometimes you are not your character and then you want to put on something that you
18:26are so, you know, soft, delicate, very sensual, but you're not one.
18:33You're a, you know, you're not one.
18:35That's, and then you give a wrong, what do you call a persona or an attitude that then
18:43somebody who fall in love with that, that after three months, they found out you're not.
18:47So how it works.
18:49So, so I see that.
18:50So sometimes it's better.
18:51So I say you be who you are and you get the person who accept who you are.
18:55Right.
18:56So that is the best deal, I believe.
18:58Yeah.
18:58I am with you.
18:59I am with you.
19:01Do you believe that, you know, fashion has the power to challenge societal norms and
19:08conventions?
19:08Like what we think is regular now, does the way we, our choices when it comes to what
19:15we wear and how we portray ourselves, can that change what is considered regular now?
19:21No, that kind of like, just now I was saying the last question.
19:24It changes.
19:27Like for example, I said it changes.
19:29Like the t-shirt that was initially worn under.
19:32Yeah, worn under.
19:32You know what I got?
19:33Like who, who, women's was like, you know, used to, used to wear big skirts with all this
19:39corset and everything.
19:40And everything after 1900, it changed.
19:42Lace made for men.
19:43Today, women's wear it.
19:45You know what I mean?
19:45You know, so fashion definitely, it changes.
19:53With life.
19:53With life, yes.
19:54Yeah.
19:55And people.
19:55People, yeah.
19:56Then you, you, you, you segregate or you know, you can, you want to know where you want
20:00to fit in.
20:00Yeah.
20:00Especially cultural wise, it's the same.
20:02Yeah.
20:03Yeah.
20:03You need to look.
20:03You look the way that group that you identify with actually, that sense of belonging starts
20:11with the way we look as well, right?
20:13You want it.
20:14Yeah.
20:15You decide.
20:16Have people come up to you and said like, you know, thank you for being who you are because
20:23you made me want to be a better person?
20:27A lot of time.
20:28In many levels.
20:29Yeah.
20:30In many levels I have and I, they say very grateful.
20:33I have many person who like, kind of like almost my age.
20:38Yeah.
20:38They feel, they, they wish that they, they met me earlier.
20:44Yeah.
20:44So, they have one wardrobe.
20:47Now they're fighting with their wife one more wardrobe.
20:49Yeah.
20:49But they feel, you know, their, their, their priority was different.
20:52Yeah.
20:53Then when they approach me, to me, it's very simple.
20:55You know, it's like, like I just, because sometimes again, that is, they have it inside
21:00boiled up, but they don't know how to come out.
21:04You know, they want, they admire or they want to do it or they want to be fashionable.
21:07They want to dress.
21:08They want to try.
21:09But everything is like, how do I say, it's like a sport.
21:13You can't do five kilometers in a half an hour.
21:16You can't.
21:17It takes a process.
21:19Fashion is the same.
21:20Yeah.
21:21You know what I mean?
21:21You just came one small ring now.
21:23Yeah.
21:23So that nobody get noticed, no effected.
21:27So, tomorrow you wear two rings and somebody approach you.
21:29Oh, you have two little rings.
21:31Then after three months, you have one big ring.
21:33Yeah.
21:34So, they get used to it.
21:35Then your neck changes.
21:36So, nobody cares.
21:36So, I, you know, so that, that, that now I see some of my friends.
21:42Yeah.
21:43They, uh, no longer want their cars.
21:46Mm.
21:47They get to, they don't buy from me, but they change.
21:51Yeah.
21:51In fashions or whatever.
21:52So, to me, it's like, I always say that, oh, wow, I changed somebody who enjoy.
21:55Yeah.
21:55So, they do tell me that, you know, and then they, now they fit in, in, they fit in, in
22:00wherever they want to fit in.
22:01Yeah.
22:01Before they feel like, oh, I can't fit in, in this place.
22:05Wow.
22:05Yeah.
22:05So, it's like, what was the question that you asked me that is like.
22:08Yeah.
22:08The fact that it, it, it changes people and it changes culture as well because fashion
22:13can play a part in making a change.
22:15Yeah.
22:16Because if you can find something to represent that change that you want, then more people
22:21can show that they support this change by then also wearing or presenting themselves
22:26in that way.
22:27And the larger you see this group be present and be observable, then the change starts to
22:34happen.
22:35Wow.
22:36You've had an amazing career, right?
22:38Three decades in fashion and you've, I'm sure your opinions have changed, if not like
22:46improved over the years, right?
22:50What key memories or moments have, have been the most significant in your career when you
22:57think about it now?
22:58Because you've had so many though.
22:59Like, yeah.
23:00Like, what's the, like big moments that come to mind?
23:04When I was very young, I think about, I want to work with the most richest people in the
23:09world.
23:09And I don't even know who at the time, there's no Warren Buffett, there's no Bill Gates and
23:14there's no Elon Musk.
23:16But then I realized there's only one Sultan Brunei royal family that we reached in the
23:2180s and then the late 80s and the 90s.
23:23So then I've forgotten I went to Paris, then I came back.
23:26But you have to make an effort sometime.
23:28So I don't even know why in 1994, I flew to that city.
23:32End of 1994, yeah.
23:34I flew to Brunei, just stand and see, oh my God.
23:36Like, because I think, yeah, because Michael Jackson went there and then they have this
23:40Jerudong Park.
23:41So I just went there.
23:42Then nobody go.
23:43And then my friends ask me, why are you going to the jungle for?
23:45Why are you going to go to Brunei?
23:47What is that there?
23:48So I went there.
23:49I stand in the, what do you call, right at the, you visit the, like every palace on the
23:57main gate.
23:58Oh, some days I will go.
24:00Believe me, nature just on it.
24:03Right.
24:0396 and there.
24:04Cut long, sorry short, yes.
24:06Of course, it's not that easy, but I went and then, yeah, I'm still working with them
24:10for 30 years now.
24:11You've been working with the Brunei and Royal family for 30 years already.
24:16It will happen.
24:17So, and many things, like for example, my mom and dad.
24:21So I have to bring a letter of, this was a very emotional for all our family because
24:27it's never even dreamed in their life.
24:29They just want to live comfortably in Malaysia and get their children educated, my parents.
24:32And they are trying to stop me being a fashion designer.
24:35But I'm bringing a paper that I'm going to sign it to have a doctor ship.
24:41So my, I just literally went to them and I just make an appointment with them and say,
24:45mom, can I come and see you now?
24:46Then she was worried that I had a problem with my wife.
24:49You know?
24:50That's the most Asian response ever.
24:52Oh my God.
24:53Why are you so serious?
24:54You know?
24:54Did you all fight?
24:55So we said, we're both coming so that they can solve our issue, right?
24:59So then I just told them, do I sign to get it?
25:01She couldn't even believe it.
25:03Wow.
25:03She said, I'm about to stop paying you to become a designer.
25:06And today, you see, the world will change.
25:08You don't know what is the future.
25:10She actually said that.
25:11Your mom actually said that.
25:11Oh yes.
25:12The knee down.
25:13They was crying.
25:14Wow.
25:14Holding my dad's amount.
25:15That is the, it's a son.
25:18I cannot give her anything.
25:20You know?
25:20But that was the best thing that I give it to this.
25:23One side of the Indian family, one side of the Chinese family.
25:26After that, we got it.
25:27We came back and the whole clans, the both sides of the clan,
25:31they had a party for me.
25:32And I was crying seven hours.
25:35I hope you're drinking a lot of water.
25:37Yes.
25:37I was sitting down there and each of my nephews holding the papers
25:41and reading P for what?
25:43E for what?
25:45Inspired?
25:45Blah, blah, blah, blah.
25:46You know?
25:46It's just like, it's the toughest thing for me to become,
25:49from a fashion designer.
25:50That's already tough enough.
25:51I got it.
25:52Work it.
25:53And then now you got this.
25:55And then both sides of the family, you don't see any of it.
25:57It's normally for people who become ministers,
26:00people in the militaries, you know?
26:02But this is like, they recognize art, music, fashion now.
26:07Yeah.
26:07It's amazing.
26:08Yeah.
26:08So that you never know what's the future.
26:10Yeah.
26:11The seat, the vest now.
26:12And you were a pioneer.
26:14Yes.
26:15Wow.
26:15It's a change, you know?
26:16So learn a lot.
26:17You know, not everything is fantastic,
26:20but everything is,
26:21Phil is, was an amazing,
26:24I call divine experience.
26:26Wow.
26:27Yes.
26:28Keep going.
26:28Like, what keeps you going?
26:30What, where does it come from?
26:31This, this drive to just keep going?
26:37As I said, I get inspired.
26:38You look at things very positively.
26:40You look at everything beautifully.
26:42You look at, everyone have the best characters in their own.
26:44You know, you really don't know.
26:46We have to look at the four sides, four different sides of a person's opinion.
26:49Sometimes they don't like something or they have an issue.
26:51So I constantly want to improve myself as, as a person.
26:54Yeah.
26:55You know, because I have kids.
26:57So how do you actually, what is the best gift that you can give to your kids?
27:01It's like, you learn by example.
27:05If I want them to read, I better read.
27:06If I want them to pray, I better pray.
27:09So you want to talk right, you talk right.
27:11Because it's you, you give your DNA to them.
27:13So you better, better get it right.
27:15So it's tough.
27:16Don't get me wrong.
27:17That's why I need to get up in the morning and do the meditation and do the running and do things that before they get up.
27:23I have to do it constantly and be consistent.
27:26It's not just do it one week and then forget about it and push yourself.
27:29It's tough.
27:30Believe me.
27:30You know, but you get used to it because you make it look effortless.
27:35That's my business.
27:36Yes.
27:37Right.
27:38It's really hard to make it look easy.
27:41I put five chain on my neck, make sure it looks effortless.
27:45And the big rings and the bracelet, this is supposed to be like man and tacky, they would say.
27:49But no, no.
27:50And we appreciate you for being here.
27:52Now, you know, when we look at your designs, your collections, it often reflects, they often reflect Malaysia's like rich cultural tapestry.
28:00Like you said, you know, you draw a lot from Malaysian culture.
28:03How do you ensure that your work resonates with both local and international audiences when it's something that is so Malaysian?
28:09What is it about the work that you do that manages to cross that bridge of both local and international appreciation?
28:16Oh, okay.
28:17I think that because I, as I said, I'm very interested in that time itself.
28:23So I observe a lot in West.
28:24You know what I mean?
28:25So my, okay, my mom also quite a cool lady.
28:27So she likes to dress up even though she just works in the factory.
28:30A simple lady.
28:31But she go as if like she own the factory.
28:32But that also inspired me a lot.
28:36And she talks about quality.
28:37You know what I mean?
28:37So to me, it's like also, it's the biggest gift that also I see Europe.
28:42So I work with a team and look at, look at what do you call our tradition and cultures.
28:51And, you know, so how to contemporize that, you know, the same time, how do I give colors to West?
28:55You know, when you do last time in Europe, everybody's kind of a dark, you know, why they are wearing so much of color because of the social media.
29:03They could see the, our part of the world who wear lots of jewels, lots of colors, lots of prints.
29:10That's why you see them using a lot of colors now.
29:12It's all also they inspired and takes a lot from us.
29:16Right.
29:16Yeah.
29:16You keep it right.
29:18Yeah.
29:18You know, so that's, I see that, you know.
29:20So it's not about, that's why when people say like international, whatever, I say we are international.
29:25You know what I mean?
29:27So, yeah.
29:28So to answer to your question that I think that when the, that because of I'm so diverse in there and then working with a diverse group of people, the team, then when I create something, if I want to create a sari, for example, you know, so you see them, it's like a six yard.
29:45I probably give them eight yards and then that, that you got the extra pleat there.
29:50And all of a sudden, I think some, mostly I want to use like feathers, embarrassment for that.
29:56So, you know what I mean?
29:56So, yeah, I will do things like this.
29:58Right.
29:59So totally that a lot of people will see all my traditional clothes are because I think that I'm from this part of the world and I understand Southeast Asia.
30:07We want to keep on pushing it.
30:09Above all, the craft must be right.
30:11You do it, not a costume.
30:14You know what I mean?
30:15Because it can, it can bridge, it can walk that fine line.
30:18It's a lot now.
30:19Yeah.
30:19I want to prove it to each other like, oh, you know what, mine's better.
30:23That is, appear to be a costume.
30:25So I and Bernie Chandler is not there.
30:27Right.
30:27We are talking about real work.
30:29So it's all, what do you call, documented.
30:31Right.
30:32So that it's like, we are thinking about the next generation.
30:35So the next person, the creator, director of Bernie Chandler must understand the philosophy of everything made must be documented.
30:42Right.
30:43Wow.
30:43So that, that, that, that, why we literally using feathers or I even have a fur baju-gurung.
30:50A fur baju-gurung.
30:51Yes.
30:51I think, you know, hearing you talk about it, I think it makes it plain that the, the main reason that you've managed to, your collections, your clothes have managed to appeal to both local.
31:02International audiences is you.
31:03It's your design sense and your mind.
31:05Yes.
31:06It's, it's not something that's external that's coming in.
31:09It's something that's inside that you're sharing.
31:11Right.
31:12You know, when fashion design, design, they design, you know, they try to fit in.
31:15But we have this thing that Bernie Chandler is a fashion creator.
31:19So what is new?
31:21So every collection that we put, we had to put it contemporary so that we want, they can sit it in the front row.
31:28So not only you do this big brand that everybody knows that you sit in the front row with that, then you, you feel that you feel secure.
31:36No, you wear, you look at Indra Gandhi.
31:39In the seventies, she wear a sari with a cool hair, with a color there.
31:42And she get down from the car, just walk up to the podium and just namaste.
31:47Nobody said that everybody else wear the gown, but she don't.
31:50And I still remember her only.
31:52Wow.
31:52You know what?
31:52That is the cool thing about that.
31:54So why that I always see my baju kurong will sit in the front row.
31:57You know, that people must check it out.
31:59Because the rest, they don't even ask because they knew what collection of that brand or what collection of that brand.
32:04But then what are you wearing?
32:05That's what they don't know.
32:06Right.
32:06Yeah.
32:07It's amazing to hear what you've absorbed over the years and are able now to just, like you can point out moments in your life that matter.
32:15And moments that we can all share in as well, like the Indira Gandhi moment.
32:18You know, now when you think about current day, today, what are the primary challenges that, you know, Malaysian, that the Malaysian fashion industry faces today?
32:28The main challenges that we face today.
32:29And how can designers collaborate to possibly overcome this main challenge?
32:34My opinion, I will say that I see now, you know, is my opinion.
32:38And I just feel like, to me, it's the ambass craft.
32:42I think it's important.
32:44So now it's a, yes, price point is important.
32:46When you do a price point, so now what?
32:48It's also the, how we want to educate clients.
32:53So it's all about cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap.
32:56So you see, you are a designer, but you design something with price point.
33:00So I don't do that.
33:01You know, it's my opinion.
33:02I think that it's your crafts that are important.
33:04Then that is boiled down to the client.
33:07Do you want a craft?
33:08Do you want to wear something that has story to tell you?
33:11And that you can keep the thing that for, for a hundred years that you're the next generation understand.
33:16That is craft.
33:17That is called fashion that, you know, it's not about, I can sell how, sometimes you hear that people say, I mean, that is a one step.
33:24There's a, so many expect that we have to, we have to change and think.
33:29So now it's amazing that we have many designers.
33:32Confidently, parents let the gerainer become a designer.
33:34But it's not about all social media, how fabulous I am and how much I sell.
33:38Oh, so many people buy my thing.
33:40That is not important.
33:41Do I never hear that people talk about, oh my God, look at the skirt, look at the flow, look at the fabric, look at the stitching.
33:47That is important.
33:48That is important.
33:49Yeah.
33:49Because can you believe it?
33:51Why I say this to you?
33:53When I came back from Paris, just 30 years ago, when I interview, that time itself, you know, when I interview staff to join my team.
34:03And, you know, they all come and impress me by saying, oh, one day I can skirt nine days, nine skirts.
34:09I can sew nine skirts so that I could employ them.
34:11Right.
34:12But I just say to them, darling, listen, I don't want you to sew nine skirts in a day.
34:18I want you to sew one skirt in nine days.
34:20So let the client pay that.
34:22And we have, we have such a beautiful, like kerawang and tulang belut, all these take time to sew.
34:29You know, if you don't put all these things together and just let your, how are we going to be known for our craft?
34:36We keep on losing it.
34:37And Wes, why I'm saying to you, when I was a student there and also part-time I worked in the Louvre, where the fabric department.
34:45You worked in the Louvre?
34:46Yes.
34:46I mean, for a, for a, for a fabric department, you know, that you, when people come as a student, you know, you pull the taffeta, they come and look for taffeta because that time it's kind of like a lot of fabric.
34:58They want to know, just say, about taffeta.
35:00Taffeta in 1700, you know, so people make a Marie Antoinette's gown or whatever.
35:04So what kind of color, what kind of thing?
35:06So today people need to see the history.
35:08They need to check on the, the, the past, the texture, the weight, the color, the, all the things, how they will redo it.
35:15That's why I say documented is very important.
35:16You know what I mean?
35:17Can you imagine?
35:17I do, do, do, do, do 40 years.
35:19Where's my things?
35:21What is you talking about?
35:22What is my first collection?
35:23History is so important.
35:25It's gone.
35:26Then waste time again.
35:27So that's why that I, I, I, I utilize when I came back.
35:31I have today.
35:34That's why I don't know the people.
35:35I also do a lot of exhibition now to show the last, last July that we did.
35:41We, I showed my 89 as a student, 1989, what I designed.
35:44Was it the mid evolution event?
35:47Yeah.
35:47So they have all these old clothes.
35:49I never sells my collection.
35:50Right.
35:51Yeah.
35:51Then you, I, I, one person don't like stall.
35:54So that's, I know I don't do ready to wear now because I think I still, I'm a first generation.
35:59I focus on our craft, you know, our technique, you know, so that I don't know what's going to be the future, but we'll prepare it now.
36:08You know, so it's easier for the next generation.
36:10So one collection is a collection, how we inspire the collection, what kind of mood board that we do.
36:15Right.
36:16It's all go to the archive.
36:16While we do that, music's are working on the mind.
36:19What kind of music that it may play.
36:20So everything is, is, is kind of a together.
36:23Right.
36:23So that kind of thing.
36:24So then there is flow to pattern making, draping samples.
36:27Wow.
36:28That is also one archive will go.
36:29Then the clothes are produced.
36:31Right.
36:31Then we do the collection, for example, the show.
36:33After that, six months, we show it to the press as a press day.
36:37So the quality of the work, you don't see the fashion, you see the fashion show, but you don't see the quality is not good.
36:41So they come and they see the lining and everything.
36:44Then client can try and see and they order it.
36:46We don't sell the collection.
36:47And then it goes to the press and give it to the press, I miss it to do the shoot.
36:51Celebrity want to wear it.
36:52Yes.
36:53All have to come back to us.
36:54And after six months, nine months, it goes back to the store.
36:57So in PGA, we have a big, huge archive for 40 years of a collection.
37:01Wow.
37:01When I was a student till now.
37:03So almost 3,000 over.
37:08Pieces.
37:08Wow.
37:09Yes.
37:09Pieces plus all the things that we never use, use, buy and inspire.
37:13Yes.
37:14So that is.
37:15It's like your journey.
37:16It's like your entire journey is there on display.
37:18Yes.
37:19It's already, yes.
37:19Wow.
37:19Yeah.
37:20All the pieces.
37:21When, when, when people talks about it, this is.
37:23That's why when you ask the questions, I would say it's the best thing because we are designers
37:28like many years ago, the design, West designers, you know, you are the designer, you are the
37:32businessman.
37:33You're also an accountant a little bit here and there.
37:36So you also have to do a PR and marketing and entertain the client.
37:39Where the West now, you see the designer who is the brand, their duty is only create.
37:45They don't care about the marketing.
37:46They don't care about the sales.
37:47Right.
37:47So all everybody.
37:48It's a big business.
37:49Locked in this room.
37:50Yes.
37:50But we don't have to worry about that.
37:52You know, that's why I say I came back.
37:54It's a new market.
37:56We start all, we start.
37:57It takes years, but it's okay.
37:59Do what I know.
38:00Right.
38:00It seems to, it seems to frustrate you that, that this has what, is what has happened.
38:06It's come to this now that people don't seem to take pride in the work that they do, in
38:11the designs that they come up with.
38:12It's more about what I sell, who sell, and then excited to talk about somebody copy who,
38:16oh my God, it's just a fashion.
38:17Just do it.
38:18And then somebody take it better.
38:20You're only afraid the day that people don't copy your idea.
38:22Move on to the next.
38:23The next is a creation.
38:24Yes.
38:24Preach Bernard Chandran.
38:26Preach Dato Sri.
38:27Please.
38:28So, now, looking ahead, right, what are your aspirations for the Bernard Chandran brand
38:34in the next decade?
38:36I'm sure you've thought about it.
38:37Are there new markets or collaborations on the horizon?
38:40What can you tell us about the future?
38:44What I tell about the future?
38:46Okay, there's lots of things going on.
38:48So, expect the unexpected from Bernard Chandran.
38:51So, yeah, I would say the future is like, you know, as I said,
38:56again, I do, I planned what I said that you see all the archives and everything.
39:01We planned.
39:01I know that it will come as a time that it's when I came that we only do what we're doing.
39:07And we are the one who always inspired.
39:10The idea was we wanted more designers to participate now, presenting the collection and, and
39:15inspired the many.
39:16It happens because it's important that everybody knows and everybody take pride to dress up.
39:21It's already a good market.
39:23Right.
39:23So, it's like, you know, you feel like it.
39:25So, it's good.
39:25So, what's happening is good.
39:27So, I think there's a fine line now, a lot more to like talking about the craft, talking about.
39:31Right.
39:32So, having conversations is a big part of change as well.
39:36And accept critics.
39:37You know, that's amazing.
39:38That's how you move forward.
39:39Does it look bright?
39:44Does the future look bright for both?
39:47Are you leading the pack in making this change that you want to see happen?
39:51You know what?
39:52I always believe, set by an example.
39:54You know, if I want it, I do it first.
39:56I do it so that the rest of people will get inspired and do it.
39:59Which is what you've been doing?
40:00Yes.
40:01Yeah.
40:01Just doing it.
40:02I just keep doing it.
40:03Wow.
40:03Yeah.
40:03When you ask me as a friend, I tell you.
40:05Right.
40:06And man, have you been telling us today.
40:09Now, we've come to the part where we're going to ask you the rapid fire questions now.
40:13So, that means we ask you the question and then the first thing that comes to your mind
40:17is what you share with us.
40:18Which means that at this moment, this could be your answer.
40:20In the future, your answer could change.
40:22Yeah.
40:22But at this point, this is what comes to your mind now.
40:24Okay.
40:25Ready, Dr. Sri?
40:25Oh my god.
40:26Here we go.
40:30Here we go.
40:32What's the one word that best describes your design style?
40:36Dignifying.
40:36Ah, nice.
40:37What's a trend you never want to see again?
40:41I think every trend have a time for it.
40:43Okay.
40:44Yeah.
40:44So, every trend that means like...
40:46Every trend have a time.
40:47Right.
40:47So, if you...
40:48You need to let go of the trend also when it's not the right time for it.
40:51Exactly.
40:52So, they are good.
40:53Right.
40:53Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?
40:56Kom Ligasong.
40:57Oh.
40:58What's the most memorable piece you've designed?
41:00The triangle outfit, blue outfit for Lady Gaga.
41:03Wow.
41:03Oh, I would say Estelle first.
41:06Then go to the Lady Gaga, yes.
41:08Oh.
41:08Yes, yeah.
41:09It was originally designed for...
41:10Estelle.
41:11Estelle.
41:11Yeah.
41:11Okay.
41:12The truth is, it was in the collection, 2009.
41:16Yes.
41:17Summer 2009.
41:18Yeah.
41:18And I had to do an outfit for my wife to do a cover.
41:22So, I think that she should wear that.
41:24So, she wear it.
41:25The next thing, I got a phone call from LA.
41:28So, Kanye West and Estelle.
41:31So, I gave it to Estelle.
41:32So, then made it to Lady Gaga.
41:34So, she made it even more.
41:35But your wife wore it first.
41:37Yeah.
41:38My wife wore it first.
41:39So, now we know.
41:40That is the truth, yes.
41:41Estelle and Lady Gaga copied your wife.
41:43Yes.
41:44Inspired, I believe.
41:46All right.
41:47What's a fashion myth you wish people would stop believing?
41:52Don't say that, oh, the next collection is no-brainer.
41:57Oh, wow.
41:58Okay.
41:59And finally, what's your dream collaboration with who?
42:03National Geographic for the Wildlife section.
42:08I have so many questions.
42:12Give us a brief on what this creative would be.
42:18I think that the wildlife site is like, it's about nature.
42:22And a lot of nature thing that we didn't see it.
42:25Because I subscribed to the magazine, I see a lot.
42:27It's very nice.
42:28Wow.
42:28Oh, yeah.
42:29And I think that how do we utilize the whole kind of a natural nature like that.
42:35I especially come to, of course, there's so many sections, yeah, like art and spiritual.
42:40But I really like the, what do you call, the National Geographic.
42:43Because I did once Galapagos.
42:46Right.
42:46The island of Galapagos.
42:47I created a collection for that many years ago.
42:50But it was amazing.
42:51Like, you don't see the tuti bird that had the, the whole thing is white, the bird.
42:56And you only get it in Galapagos.
42:58And then they had a blue lake.
43:00Can you imagine it's a nature?
43:01Wow.
43:01And the colors that is like, amazing turquoise blue.
43:05So, it's like, it's amazing.
43:07So, there's a lot of things that we have not realized that, yeah.
43:10Coming soon.
43:11Bernard Chandran and National Geographic.
43:13Yes, I don't know how am I going to hook that up, but I'm going to do it.
43:16It's out in the universe now.
43:17It's out in the universe, which means it's only a matter of time.
43:20The next interview, I tell you.
43:22Yes.
43:22We look forward to it.
43:24Now, this is the final question we ask all our guests.
43:28If you had the opportunity to make one change as Prime Minister of Malaysia for one day,
43:35that means you're Prime Minister for a day, what would that change be and why?
43:40What do you call the, from the ground.
43:42The youth, especially from kindergarten,
43:45when I say the first thing, you know, about the hygiene.
43:48Health.
43:49Health.
43:50Yes.
43:50So, it starts from, I think, the ground.
43:52Right.
43:52Which is kindergarten, probably.
43:54Right.
43:54Maybe three years old, two years old.
43:56The first thing they should start off, the hygiene.
43:58Right.
43:58More of that.
43:59The hygiene, yes.
43:59It's amazing because that one act can change a person's life.
44:03Because if you just took more pride in taking care of yourself,
44:09then life would be different, not just for you, but for everyone else as well.
44:12So, it will be, you know, like, it's like, what do you call it?
44:15A dominant effect.
44:16Yeah.
44:17No one has ever said that.
44:18And that's very insightful and definitely worth the attention that it,
44:24and it's not getting the attention it deserves.
44:27Wow.
44:27Thank you so much for spending time with us today.
44:30And again, we look forward, when that National Geographic thing happens,
44:33you'll let us know, right?
44:34Right.
44:34We appreciate you so much, Dato Sri Bernard Chandran.
44:37Thank you for joining us here today.
44:38Okay.
44:38Thank you very much.
44:39Thanks.
44:39And we look forward to seeing you in the next episode of Life Confessions.