Three Malaysian bridal designers you ought to know

What is the most memorable bridal attire you’ve ever designed?

It was one lovely couple from Brunei, circa 2019. They loved and trusted our vision so much, that from just one attire that was supposed to be the engagement dress, became two extravagant pre-wedding dresses, the solemnisation dress, and the bride’s Berbedak attire. We even brought our entire glam team to Bangkok to do the pre-wedding video and photo shoot just for them. It was one of the sweetest experiences for us.

Some brides might not have a clear idea of what they want. How do you help them discover their style and preferences?

If the bride is still unsure of her vision, then we step in with our expertise. We advise her on what suits her figure, from the silhouette and colour to the material and embellishments. We even provide fabric swatches and wedding sample pieces with similar cuts and details to help her visualise better. Again, effective communication and observation are key to winning them over.

When did you first realise that your brand was getting a lot of buzz?

Our highly publicised Kurung Kemilau, which combines a Kurung Payung silhouette with contemporary materials like Chantilly lace, went viral locally in 2019, gaining us online popularity. It was requested by many clients from all over Malaysia and has since become a staple for our regular clients. From there, the rest is history

DPL, short for Davis Paul Lister, aspires to be Malaysia’s Vera Wang. He founded his label in 2014 and has since built a reputation for his delicate handiwork and designing dreamy silhouettes.

What is your design philosophy when it comes to creating bridal attire?

I’ve always drawn inspiration from my clients’ true love stories and lifestyles, which led me to embark on my career as a wedding dress designer. My design aesthetic can be described as modern, clean, and flowy. Clients often appreciate my expertise in draping, which sets DPL apart. We have fans out there who value our intricate detailing and impeccable finishing.

Bridal fashion often involves a balance between tradition and innovation. How do you incorporate both elements into your designs?

Sometimes, we encounter clients who desire traditional wedding outfits, presenting us with the challenge of blending tradition with modernity. To achieve a harmonious balance in traditional pieces, it’s important for me to know the types of materials I work with. For example, when working with distinctive fabrics like songket tenun tangan, I maintain clean silhouettes and cuts. We can then enhance the songket’s beauty with delicate sulam kerawang and intricate hand beadwork to create focal points on the traditional pieces.

See also: The secret dress code of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif's royal wedding in Jordan

Some brides might not have a clear idea of what they want. How do you help them discover their style and preferences during design consultation?

Before our clients visit our boutique, we request that they do a bit of homework by bringing along some photos to show us. This helps us better understand their unique tastes and fashion sense. We believe that creating a beautiful look is a collaborative effort between the client and the designer.

When did you first realise that your brand was getting a lot of buzz?

In 2016, I noticed that my brand started to garner interest within the community. We started receiving more likes on Instagram and a growing number of inquiries through our DMs. Our Instagram followers also increased rapidly. Consequently, we received numerous orders, and thanks to
this consistent growth, our team has expanded to handle multiple projects and responsibilities.

Established in 2018, Tangsi was founded by Jeffri Mohamad Jaapar and Juliana Nazar. Their unique Nusantara design aesthetic and commitment to sustainability drew significant attention and promoted a newfound appreciation for wearable traditional clothing.

What is your design philosophy when it comes to creating bridal attire?

We are passionate about incorporating sustainability into all of our bridal designs. Our philosophy is that bridal attire should not only be cherished by the couple and admired by all but also provide comfort throughout the ceremony and be versatile enough to wear on other occasions. We’ve observed that many bridal outfits are designed for single use and then stored away indefinitely, which contradicts our commitment to sustainability. Thus, we encourage our clients to create wedding attire that not only looks perfect on their special day but can also be worn on other occasions by mixing and matching with other garments.

Tell us more about your bridal series, Tangsi Kawen, and what inspired its creation?

Tangsi Kawen made its debut in 2022 and represents our first bridal series. It’s worth noting that most of our bridal creations are bespoke. We introduced Tangsi Kawen as a means of conveying our design DNA and aesthetic to a wider audience. It embodies our simplicity in cuts and silhouettes, which, beneath the surface, reveal layers of intricacy. These bridal ensembles are not just pretty but also designed for practicality, with a seamless fusion of traditional elements and contemporary flair.

What is the most memorable bridal attire you’ve ever designed?

When we initially started as an online ready-to-wear brand, Tangsi wasn’t primarily focused on custom wedding attire. That all changed when our dear friend, Kaka Azraff, a renowned Malaysian singer and actress, placed her trust in us to create her wedding dresses (we also handled her overall styling and decor). Around the same time, a couple from Singapore approached us and entrusted us with their wedding attire. The trust and love that these first two clients bestowed upon us, even when we didn’t have a physical studio or boutique at the time, remain etched in our memories.

Can you describe your approach to understanding a client’s vision for their dream wedding gown?

Understanding our client’s vision for their dress is at the heart of what we do. It all begins with a private consultation, where we delve into the broader context of their wedding. We love to hear details such as the theme, chosen style, venue, the mood board, or any creative ideas they’ve gathered. During this meeting, we also study their character, body shape, consider their skin tone, and identify their top priorities for the dress. With all this information in hand, only then do we begin to sketch.

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