Raja Malek

Draped in his signature Comme des Garçons ensembles, Raja Khalid Raja Mohamed Iskandar Shah—better known as Raja Malek or Chelek—seamlessly navigates the spheres of theatre, fashion, and art, leaving an indelible mark wherever he goes.

Starting his career as a hairstylist in 1979 London, Chelek transitioned into the world of set design almost by chance. A serendipitous opportunity in 1996 during a commercial shoot in Jakarta led him to art direction, where he discovered his true calling. From that moment, Chelek’s talent for creating immersive environments led him to become one of Malaysia’s most celebrated stage designers.

Notably, his groundbreaking collaboration with Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina for Puteri Gunung Ledang (2006-2008), where his innovative use of mobile stupas and masterful execution of a kabuki drop set new standards in Malaysian theatre, showcasing his flair for storytelling.

Today, Chelek continues to push boundaries, leading with vision, artistry, and a deep respect for the environment. A champion of sustainability, Chelek’s collaboration for the Langkawi Immersif Festival 2024 featured an immersive art installation of bird sculptures crafted from repurposed plastic waste.

Whether it’s transforming discarded plastic bottles into elegant bird sculptures or breathing life into a blank stage, his commitment to turning the ordinary into the extraordinary is what sets him apart. The depth of his creations inevitably urges us to stop, pause, and reconsider our relationship with the world around us.