“My mom told me there’s no point dressing up in basic clothes. If you’re going to dress up, you must be able to wow,” explains Roshan Valiram on why she veers away from conformity and instead chooses to wear custom pieces that mirror her individuality. She reserves those moments for special occasions, like the modern green lehenga designed by Amit Aggarwal for last year’s Valiram Deepavali party.

Born and raised in the Philippines where many Filipinos prefer to have their clothes custom-made for all kinds of occasions, even casual wear, Roshan had her first real taste of it when she had a dress made for her eighth birthday. “My mom and I designed it together and I really enjoyed the process of making it and creating it. The finished product was just magic; made even more special because of the effort that went into it. That’s when I fell in love with fashion,” she says.

Up to this day, she loves to collaborate with renowned designers to create unique masterpieces that articulate her vision and individuality. Naturally, she has a soft spot for Filipino designers such as Mark Bumgarner and Patty Ang even as she appreciates their skilful use of texture and fabric, resulting in exceptional pieces. “So whenever I make a gown from the Philippines, I try not to do any beading because I know their speciality is so much more. I love their creativity and how the whole gown becomes something that no one has ever seen. It’s very unique,” she says.

If there’s anything that rivals her love for fashion, it’s food. She directs the Valiram Group’s food and beverage arm, where her passion for culinary arts shines through by bringing in new ideas and flavours to its food brands. The Valiram Group is also introducing a new coffee brand, Bacha Coffee, which is set to open in KLCC. With offerings of creative coffee and delectable food served in an ambience that draws inspiration from the intricate artistry of Marrakech, the self-confessed foodie anticipates that “Malaysians will really enjoy the experience.”