Renowned Fashion Designer Bernard Chandran Explores Canvas Painting

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) – The unparalleled genius of Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran, Malaysia’s illustrious fashion maestro,   continues to shine with undeniable brilliance.

His creative vision, often described as magical, has made him the favoured designer for a dazzling array of luminaries, not only among A-list celebrities but also revered dignitaries, including members of royal households.

Known as the ‘King of Malaysian Fashion,’ Bernard's influence transcends borders, captivating the global fashion scene.

His remarkable talents have earned him the prestigious honour of designing a stunning royal ensemble for Brunei’s Royal Bride, Pengiran Anak Puteri Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah. Yet, this meteoric rise to the pinnacle of fashion royalty was no simple feat.

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Now, after over three decades in the fashion world, Bernard—who proudly embraces both his Indian and Chinese heritage—turns to canvas painting to immortalise his creative journey. His new artwork captures the essence of his artistic odyssey, using the dragon as a powerful motif.

Bernard, an esteemed guest judge on Britain’s Next Top Model, Cycle 6, unveils his captivating artistry at the ‘MYTH Evolution: Fashion Art Exhibition’ at UR-MU @ Toffee, Jalan Raja Chulan here. The exhibition, which runs from Sept 27 to Oct 20, showcases his unique creative evolution, blending fashion with art.  

At the exhibition, dedicated to his beloved mother, Chow Yook Lin—whose teachings and legacy continue to shape his life—Bernard explores themes of power, heritage, and opportunity through the symbolic imagery of the dragon, a traditional mythical creature.

According to Bernard, the dragon symbolises his heritage and embodies royal values, while also reflecting his personal evolution influenced by key figures in his life, all of whom were born in the Year of the Dragon.

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“This exhibition reflects my journey, not just as a designer, but also as a son, leader, friend, and father. It’s a personal narrative that channels over three decades of experience into a new creative dimension. MYTH Evolution represents my constant drive to create the unexpected," he told Bernama recently.

The exhibited works include MYTH Evolution: Dragon Style, MYTHS of Evolution, MYTH Evolution: March of Dragons, MYTHS of Embellishment, MYTHS of Patience, MYTH Evolution: Dragon is the Word, MYTH Evolution: Imprint, MYTHS of Fate, MYTH Evolution: Beyond the Dragon, MYTH Evolution: Organic & Processed, MYTHS of One, MYTHS of Steel, MYTH Evolution: Mother’s Jewels and MYTH Evolution: Knight in Purple Knitted Armour.

Interestingly, the exhibition not only features paintings but also incorporates a diverse range of fabrics collected over Bernard's 30-year career—denim, leather, chiffon, cotton, silk, plastic, polyester, and jute—along with elements like metal, crystals, and intricate embroidery.

He said the MYTH Evolution: March of Dragons: Wearable Art collection is an extraordinary exploration of creativity and heritage, sparked by the serendipitous discovery of a meticulously crafted traditional Chinese jacket in a thrift store, which became the foundation of his artistic journey.

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"I envisioned the jacket as a canvas for mythical motifs, such as dragons and phoenixes, which are rich in cultural symbolism.

 “When the world faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I redirected my energy into this project by creating 27 unique pieces that incorporate various fabrics and techniques," he said and hopes the exhibition will be able to  inspire up and coming fashion designers, especially the younger generation.

-- BERNAMA