Meet the trio behind the quirky fashion brand that has been spotted in 'Emily in Paris', 'Euphoria' and more
In the early noughties, genderfluid dressing tended to lean towards themes of transgressive sensuality with rockstars Prince and David Bowie as poster children for the popular fashion movement. Its origins, however, come from 1920s London from a group of Bohemian socialites and aristocrats who became infamous for their eccentric, genderfluid style, which they showed off at fancy dress parties and hedonistic pursuits through the city.
Among the first in the industry to reintroduce this sense of wonder and whimsy to the genre is Motoguo. Founded in 2015 by Moto Guo, Kinder Eng and Jay Perry Ang, the Malaysian fashion brand has become a pioneer in the scene, bringing genderfluidity into the mainstream with its unique aesthetic. Motoguo's maximalist garments can be worn by everybody and anybody, whether man or woman. Its designs draw inspiration from the joys of childhood, from bright colours and nostalgic silhouettes to playful embellishments, such as crochet grapevines, teddy bear buttons and oversized ribbons.
“Our upbringing and environment was rather conservative—and still is,” says Guo, sharing that they started as a menswear label before making the daring decision to break from the mould. “As we expanded our horizons by travelling to the fashion capitals of the world, we slowly felt more comfortable in shaping the brand to the identity it is known for today.”
Related: Kuching-born designer Dickson Lim is reinventing the classic tailored suit
Since its inception, Motoguo has made a name for itself around the world, becoming the first Southeast Asian label to be shortlisted for the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2016. Two of its founding members, Kinder Eng and Jay Perry Ang, were also recognised by Forbes’ annual ‘30 Under 30 Asia’ list in 2022.
Its global appeal has struck a chord among the younger generations, in particular, as they continue to embrace self-expression and creativity in their personal style, spurred on by the rise of TikTok and the popularity of HBO’s beloved teen drama Euphoria. In fact, one of the lead characters Lexi—played by breakout star Maude Apatow—wears Motoguo’s trendy Mirage knit top in its latest, most explosive season. More recently, Lily Collins wears Motoguo's Paula Tsui evening skirt in season three of Netflix's Emily in Paris.
Related: Self-Portrait's Han Chong reveals the secret behind his brand's global success