His designs are not for everyone – to put it lightly. Yes, Kel Wen of Behati has built his name on creating unconventional and boundary-pushing clothes.
Think oversized versions of the baju Melayu, cheongsams transformed into crop tops, and kebaya pieces constructed with saree draping. Often times, these go viral on social media.
They are not necessarily well received by everyone.
“It’s the nature of my art to create conversation. I want people to talk about fashion,” comments the 28-year-old Malaysian.
He insists: “I don’t just create them for laughs. I don’t just do what I do to go viral.”
Melaka-born Kel Wen also dresses Malaysian celebrities. He is known for thinking up elaborate outfits that are all about showmanship.
Some of the famous faces who have worn his clothes include Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Amy Search, Aina Abdul, Wany Hasrita, Jihan Muse, Namewee and more.
Last year, Kel Wen created the outfits for her Ku Ikhlaskan music video – which took the internet by storm. He was also the video producer, director, art director and offline editor.
You could say that the clothes he designed for Vida stole the show.
Read more: Who made Datuk Seri Vida's lavish costumes for the 'Ku Ikhlaskan' video?
Malaysians were divided. Some people praised his creations for being quirky and avant-garde, while others said they were garish.
This contrast of of dualities – opinions received, aesthetics he believes in, inspirations drawn from – is probably what best defines him.
Kel Wen’s Behati label, founded in 2018, is difficult to be placed in a metaphorical box.
The showroom, where this interview and photoshoot took place, comes off as extremely eclectic. His contemporary
creations are hung within a space that simply just screams retro, filled as it is with antique furniture.
Getaran Jiwa (the 1960 song by Tan Sri P Ramlee) can be heard playing in the background. All this while he speaks about modernising Malaysian fashion and taking heritage craftsmanship into the 21st century.
“As a fashion designer, my job is to create new fashion,” Kel Wen enthuses.
“Innovation is something that I really focus on. I won’t create something that’s already in the market. I think that is why I take a lot of risks in my designs.”
You seem to be happy charting your own path in fashion. Do you believe in trends?
I do follow trends and I also set new trends in traditional fashion with what I feel defines our current fashion era. I look at Western fashion a lot. I study what’s happening around the world. I think that’s important. European and American fashion is at the forefront. I study those trends and apply them in my collections.
How do you handle critics on social media?
I try not to read the comments too much, even though I still receive a lot of hate messages via DMs (direct messages) and even hate calls from people who don’t get what I do. I understand that those who dislike my designs have a very different mindset on traditions and personal style preference. I don’t take what others think of me to heart because I am clear of my concept with the message that I’m trying to deliver. Sometimes it does affect me mentally when I’m designing, but I try to move past such feelings because staying optimistic is the key. I can accept both compliments and critics, but it doesn’t affect my decision on my art.
Would you say your fan base is only from the younger generation?
No, I receive love from people in their 50s and 70s – but obviously, these people are very open minded. So, it’s not about the age. Of course, there are a lot of younger people among my fans, merely because of social media. It is on there that my brand thrives. Normally the parents of my young fans will come and shop at our showroom after seeing their kids wearing Behati. My older customers come to shop the brand’s signature structural fabrics, to give a better shape to their body.
Read more: Gen-Z fashion, streetwear, K-pop: Designer Tom Abang Saufi is still cool at 70
Where do you draw the line in designing?
There is no line in designing fashion, but there is a line when it comes to traditional fashion. That line is what keeps the traditional values of the garment. I am living in a multiracial community and that naturally influences my art. I’m not appropriating any culture when I’m giving their rightful credits to its origins.
Do you think your designs only work for a niche market?Yes, because I’m introducing something new. I see it as a good thing. As it’s niche, that’s why I get to build Behati’s own community. There are less competitors in my market. Behati’s fashion is all about the attitude. When you have the right character to match the clothes, then confidence will naturally come into the picture. If you “translate” my designs into a perceived personality, it’s about being loud and bold. My customers have very strong personalities. You can see their attitude surfacing when they put on my clothes. It’s about how they carry a particular garment.
Can you relate your experience of dressing celebrities?
Working with celebrities has helped in building the identity of my brand. It is a platform that I use to express my avant-garde fashion as celebrities have bolder personalities to carry them. I love working with celebrities who are more open minded and daring to try new silhouettes, as I feel it’s important for them as influencers to push boundaries in Malaysia’s fashion to an international level. I pick who I want to work with though. I don’t do custom-made designs for just any celebrity. I still have to consider whether the person is able to carry my designs. Also, whether the celebrity’s music is able to jive with it. I see it as a collaboration and everything needs to sync to make it a fashion moment.
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