We check in with the Malaysian duo behind the international womenswear brand UnitedWood on their fashion journey
In the last few years, UnitedWood has made a name for itself around the world as a leading womenswear brand that fuses modern elegance with edgy femininity.
Their highly-coveted designs have been featured in international publications and seen on the most stylish icons from Hong Kong to Hollywood, including Cindy Crawford, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lana Condor and Carrie Underwood. Actress Priscilla Wong even wore a UnitedWood wedding dress at her Balinese nuptials to Edwin Siu.
But little is known about their two Malaysian founders, Voon Lai and Jonathan Cheng—until now. In this exclusive interview with Tatler, these two impressive figures in fashion open up about their journey together, from how they met to their plans to launch UnitedWood's latest collection in Kuala Lumpur later this year.
See also: Han Chong Reveals The Secret Behind Fashion Brand, Self-Portrait's Global Success
A Creative Spark
It all began when Lai and Cheng struck up a friendship at the latter’s womenswear show at KL Fashion Week in 2004. At the time, Lai had just moved back from London, where he had been working as an architect.
“I felt a real spark when I watched Jonathan’s womenswear show,” he says, “When I was living abroad, I wanted to start a fashion brand with some friends. It didn’t work out but I knew that it would work with Jonathan the moment I saw his collection. I loved his aesthetic and sense of style.”
Commenting on his decision to venture into the world of fashion from a stable career in architecture, he adds: "I’ve always been interested in fashion since I was young. Coming from a family of developers, it definitely took a lot of courage to pursue my own path but I was never one to give up and I just had to 'scratch the itch'!”
See also: Meet Hong Kong's Most Stylish 67-Year-Old Psychologist
Start Of Something New
Unbeknownst to many, the duo began their creative and entrepreneurial partnership long before UnitedWood with a sports-inspired men’s underwear line, STUD, in 2009.
“We both enjoy working out and staying fit and healthy so it was a way for us to live out what we love,” says Cheng.