Experience Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran latest project, ’MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition’

Renowned Malaysian fashion creator Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran’s latest project is dedicated to his late mother

On September 27, 2024, Malaysia’s “King of Fashion” Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran launched MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition, which focuses on the traditional Chinese dragon.

Bernard, who is widely celebrated for his innovative designs that reflect his Malaysian heritage and embrace multiculturalism, dedicated the exhibition to his late mother, Chow Yook Lin, whose enduring lessons and legacy live through him.

Three years in the making, this exhibition fittingly coincides with the Chinese calendar’s Year of the Dragon.

MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition symbolises Bernard’s heritage through his mother, regal values reflected in his work with royalty, and personal evolution inspired by key figures in his life born in the Year of the Dragon.

Above Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran with his creations at ‘MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition’

Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran with his creations at ‘MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition’

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Bernard’s creations have dressed global icons like Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh and Lady Gaga, and he made a lasting impact on Malaysia’s fashion landscape, with his creative vision and diversity shaping a legacy that continues to influence national and international fashion scenes.

“This exhibition reflects my journey not only as a designer but also as a son, leader, partner, and father. It’s a personal narrative using over three decades of craftsmanship in a new creative dimension. MYTH Evolution embodies my desire to always create the unexpected,” he said in a statement.

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Evoking descriptions like Ancestral Myth, Regal Myth, and Personal Myth, the exhibition invites viewers to ponder: What is fashion and art if not storytelling—of heritage, craft, and growth? MYTH Evolution is a story told through experience, to be experienced.

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The MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition highlights the following:

The Dragon Motif: The unifying symbol of three narrative paths in Bernard’s life, the dragon serves as a homage to Bernard’s heritage through his mother, regal values and symbols, as well as representing key people in his life including his wife and youngest son who were born in the Year of the Dragon.

MYTH Evolution: Dragon is the Word: The calligraphy on the white jeweled dragon reads “lóng,” which means “dragon” in Chinese. During a trip to Macao, Bernard encountered a Taiwanese feng shui master who effortlessly wrote “lóng” on a piece of paper and handed it to him. This interaction inspired Bernard to use the dragon motif to tell his own story. In this piece, Bernard recreates the Chinese calligraphy of “lóng” upon the jeweled dragon—an act of boldness

MYTHS of Fate: Bernard’s mother had always reminded him not to judge too quickly, often saying, “There is luck everywhere, even in garbage.” This lesson came to mind when he launched an exhibition in a location that many were skeptical of. Though he shared their uncertainty, he believed in his concept

MYTHS of One: As the ancient Chinese proverb says, “With one arrow, you can rule the world.” MYTHS of One is Bernard’s exploration of technique through the medium of thread—one tool, one subject. The collection mirrors the approach of artists like Jackson Pollock or Vincent Van Gogh, where constraints are set, yet within those limits, creative freedom flourishes

MYTH Evolution: Mother’s Jewels: “My children are my soul; they give me purpose,” reflected Datin Sri LourdeMary, Bernard's wife, as she thought of their five children. MYTH Evolution: Mother’s Jewels juxtaposes patriotism to one’s nation with a mother’s unwavering devotion to her children. The five-pointed star symbolises Bernard and Mary’s five children. The crescent moon, ‘Chandran’ in Tamil, represents Bernard’s family name. The five red stripes signify the blood connection between Mary and her children

MYTH Evolution: Organic & Processed echoes René Magritte’s The Treachery of Images—these are not dragons, but representations of dragons. Bernard expands on this idea as a creator in the era of artificial intelligence, believing that the processed can only result in an imitation, lacking the soul of organic creation. Without the human touch, they are not true creations, but merely representations of creation

Photo 1 of 5 MYTH Evolution: Dragon is the Word: The calligraphy on the white jeweled dragon reads “lóng,” which means “dragon” in Chinese. During a trip to Macao, Bernard encountered a Taiwanese feng shui master who effortlessly wrote “lóng” on a piece of paper and handed it to him. This interaction inspired Bernard to use the dragon motif to tell his own story. In this piece, Bernard recreates the Chinese calligraphy of “lóng” upon the jeweled dragon—an act of boldness

Photo 2 of 5 MYTHS of Fate: Bernard’s mother had always reminded him not to judge too quickly, often saying, “There is luck everywhere, even in garbage.” This lesson came to mind when he launched an exhibition in a location that many were skeptical of. Though he shared their uncertainty, he believed in his concept

Photo 3 of 5 MYTHS of One: As the ancient Chinese proverb says, “With one arrow, you can rule the world.” MYTHS of One is Bernard’s exploration of technique through the medium of thread—one tool, one subject. The collection mirrors the approach of artists like Jackson Pollock or Vincent Van Gogh, where constraints are set, yet within those limits, creative freedom flourishes

Photo 4 of 5 MYTH Evolution: Mother’s Jewels: “My children are my soul; they give me purpose,” reflected Datin Sri LourdeMary, Bernard's wife, as she thought of their five children. MYTH Evolution: Mother’s Jewels juxtaposes patriotism to one’s nation with a mother’s unwavering devotion to her children. The five-pointed star symbolises Bernard and Mary’s five children. The crescent moon, ‘Chandran’ in Tamil, represents Bernard’s family name. The five red stripes signify the blood connection between Mary and her children

Photo 5 of 5 MYTH Evolution: Organic & Processed echoes René Magritte’s The Treachery of Images—these are not dragons, but representations of dragons. Bernard expands on this idea as a creator in the era of artificial intelligence, believing that the processed can only result in an imitation, lacking the soul of organic creation. Without the human touch, they are not true creations, but merely representations of creation

MYTH Evolution: Dragon is the Word: The calligraphy on the white jeweled dragon reads “lóng,” which means “dragon” in Chinese. During a trip to Macao, Bernard encountered a Taiwanese feng shui master who effortlessly wrote “lóng” on a piece of paper and handed it to him. This interaction inspired Bernard to use the dragon motif to tell his own story. In this piece, Bernard recreates the Chinese calligraphy of “lóng” upon the jeweled dragon—an act of boldness

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Fashion Art: The exhibition presents decades of fashion experience in a new medium, offering a unique perspective on the creative potential of fashion materials and techniques. Visitors will witness Bernard’s mastery of numerous fabrics, including denim, leather, chiffon, cotton, and silk, merged with embellishments like metalwork, crystals, pearls, embroidery, and more.

Experience a glimpse into Bernard Chandran’s story through fashion art and be prepared to witness a new narrative in creative expression that is both majestic and deeply personal.

Photo 1 of 3 MYTH Evolution: Dragon Style: A lesson in styling, MYTH Evolution: Dragon Style takes garments embroidered and embellished with Bernard's dragon motif from decades past and reimagines them in a new, contemporary way

Photo 2 of 3 MYTHS of Evolution: Embodying this wisdom and showcasing early experimentation and evolution of Bernard’s dragon motif, this collection is not about any singular piece but about the whole; each piece feeds into the next, creating a continuous stream of trial and growth

Photo 3 of 3 MYTH Evolution: March of Dragons: Wearable Art: In 2019, Bernard discovered an old traditional Chinese jacket in a secondhand store that was excellently crafted. This jacket inspired him to use its shape as a canvas for the dragon and phoenix motifs he had been contemplating

MYTH Evolution: Dragon Style: A lesson in styling, MYTH Evolution: Dragon Style takes garments embroidered and embellished with Bernard's dragon motif from decades past and reimagines them in a new, contemporary way

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MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition runs from September 27th to October 20th, 2024, at Ur_Mu @ Toffee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.

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Credits

Images: Bernard Chandran

Topics

Bernard Chandran MYTH Evolution Art Exhibition Fashion Exhibition

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Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran presents ‘MYTH Evolution: A Fashion Art Exhibition’