28/09/2025

ON SUNDAY September 28, 2025 II theSunday Special

Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity. It challenges us to think differently.”

Designing the future, draped in heritage BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

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ASHION is ever-changing. Trends come and go at lightning speed and fashion enthusiasts are always chasing what’s new for the season ahead. Once the

craftsmanship found in villages carries techniques that can be transformed into fashion pieces.” Their perspective goes beyond simply borrowing from tradition. They actively seek to connect Malaysian heritage with broader narratives. Hazzerwan recalled one such moment during a showcase in Bangkok, where Wan & Mary worked with Thai silk and combined it with Malaysia’s tenun. “Both materials use similar weav ing techniques, but the yarns and SDWWHUQV GL̆ HU )RU WKDW FROOHFWLRQ we drew inspiration from the Betta ¿VK (ikan laga) , which is loved in both Malaysia and Thailand. Even though we come from different places, we share similar stories and inspirations,” he said. From screen to studio W DQ 0DU\¶V MRXUQH\ Ṙ FLDOO\ EH gan in 2019, when the duo emerged as winners of the design reality TV competition Gen F . That victory gave WKHP YLVLELOLW\ DQG WKH FRQ¿GHQFH WR step into the industry. Today, their studio in Kota Damansara offers custom-made services, bespoke couture and ready-to-wear collec tions. The label’s clientele is an eclectic mix from brides and grooms to corporate leaders, royalty and celebrities. They have dressed the likes of Ziana Zain, Stacy and Ernie Zakri, each time tailoring WKHLU FUHDWLYLW\ WR ¿W WKH FOLHQW¶V personality and stage presence. “Working with celebrities is exciting because the design has to balance artistry and performance. It has to look good on stage and resonate with who they are,” said Maryam.

Hazzerwan and Maryam, the design duo.

hype fades, many simply move on to the next “must-have”. No commitment, no attachment. Yet, in this constant cycle of reinvention, one element remains timeless: heritage. Fashion houses like Burberry with its checks, McQueen with its tartan, Versace with its Medusa emblem and Hermès with its equestrian motifs have proven that heritage, when embraced DQG UHLQWHUSUHWHG FDQ WUDQVFHQG ÀHHWLQJ seasons. The Malaysian fashion industry is still young compared to these global giants in London, Milan and Paris. But that does not mean we are trailing behind. Malaysia, too, has a rich cultural archive to draw from, with traditional textiles, motifs, art and crafts passed down through generations. A new wave of designers is now reshaping this legacy, taking cues from local heritage and presenting it in modern, innovative ways. Among them are Hazzerwan Hazlee and Maryam Musa, the design duo behind the rising label Wan & Mary. For Wan & Mary, culture has always been at the heart of their work. From their earliest sketches to their runway ready creations, Malaysia’s heritage has provided them with a wellspring of inspi ration. The country’s diverse traditions and artistic expressions across its states are more than just cultural references; they are design blueprints waiting to be explored. “Inspiration comes from everywhere around us,” explained Hazzerwan, the brand’s co-founder. “From our traditional textiles to the natural landscapes, every element has something to offer. Even the local