Get a glimpse of this 63-year-old style icon's incredible wardrobe, from rare Galliano pieces to upcycled denim jackets
Set designer and visual artist, Raja Malek—also known as Chelek—has been a fixture in Malaysia's local arts scene for more than three decades, linked to beloved local productions, including Puteri Gunung Ledang, Split Gravy, and Ola Bola the Musical. However, his creativity is not confined to the stage. In 2022, Tatler recognised Chelek on our annual Asia's Most Stylish list to celebrate his unique style and lifelong devotion to fashion.
Read more: Life in Pictures: Raja Malek Recounts His Life in London
In this special edition of Style Files, he dives into his extensive fashion archives to tells us the stories behind some of his favourite fashion pieces, including his own clothing and jewellery creations. He also shows us how he would style them together to assemble the perfect look from head to toe.
In his early 20s, Chelek was living abroad in London, immersed in the city's thriving arts and fashion scene and enamoured by rising designers disrupting the fashion industry with bold ideas. Never one to play by the rules himself, he was drawn to the work of Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, especially her innovative skirt hybrids for men, and remains an avid collector of brand today.
He was also an early fan of John Galliano, fascinated by the different techniques—such as the circular cut—used by the British designer to create interesting silhouettes.
Inspired by their bold designs, he would go on to design garments and jewellery for himself with old clothes or excess material, decades before it became known as 'upcycling' under the growing movement to make the fashion industry more sustainable.
See also: Asia's Most Stylish 2022: 9 Malaysians who set their own fashion rules
To hear more from Raja Malek, watch the full video below.