While fashion is her legacy, Melinda Looi's daughter has her eye on art instead

Her mother is a renowned Malaysian designer, but Maya Luebbert is resolutely carving her own path in life. Photo: The STar/MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI

At 15 years old, Maya Luebbert already has a fashion collection to her name. Although not designed by her – but instead, featuring her art, this is still a big deal for someone at such a young age.

Last year saw Maya collaborating with her mother, well-known fashion designer Melinda Looi. It was a range of couture pieces showcasing handmade traditional materials like rattan weaving, tenun, batik and songket.

The beautiful designs bore Maya’s fun, colourful and zany doodles.

“I feel like a lot of people want me to eventually become a fashion designer,” she says, during a conversation at Looi’s boutique in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Maya Luebbert (left) says that her mother is her inspiration to become an artist. Photo: The Star/MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI

“I wanted to be a designer at one point – when I was like eight years old, but I realised later that it was due to the expectations, more than anything else.”

Despite her saying that she does not know much about fashion, Maya proves to be extremely able in sharing her thoughts on the subject.

Perhaps creativity just runs in her blood. Even her grandmother, Looi’s mother, is a tailor.

Read more: How designers like Malaysia's Melinda Looi are weaving heritage into fashion

According to Maya, her mother is happy about what she is passionate about.

“When my mother was younger, she wanted to be an artist herself. So, she is very supportive of me,” Maya relates.

“I will now occasionally even find art supplies left outside my room’s door, even when I didn’t ask for any.”

Maya and Looi recently even worked together to organise an art workshop. It was to help raise funds for a children’s home.

Looi, despite having decades of experience as a bold, avant- garde designer and being a recognisable name within the local fashion industry, is content in giving Maya the space she needs to grow as an artist.

The two share a special bond, but it seems that Maya has inherited her mother’s “fierceness” – which was apparent during the photoshoot.

“She won’t like it if I try to interfere with her interview,” Looi says with a laugh, promptly excusing herself after they were photographed together.

How has fashion factored in your decision to become an artist?

It plays a very big role in my life. My mum’s a fashion designer, so I grew up surrounded by fashion. I think without her, I wouldn’t have wanted to become an artist – or even known I could be creative. I believe if someone doesn’t grow up in a creative family, they wouldn’t even think there is such a career option. You know this whole Asian parents (stereotype)? The joke being that they are expected to tell their kids, “You’d only end up starving on the streets as an artist.” It wasn’t like that in my case.

Maya Luebbert's doodles were incorporated into Looi's couture designs last year. The mother-daughter duo even travelled around Malaysia to learn about heritage crafts like batik, songket, tenun and rattan. Photo: Melinda Looi

The fashion and art worlds are colliding more than ever. What are some of your favourite collaborations between brands and artists?

Louis Vuitton with Yayoi Kusama. I recently did this presentation at school about Kusama, so her work with Louis Vuitton is at the top of my mind right now. I find her art very creative. Also, there is (the late) Jean-Michel Basquiat and Comme Des Garcons. I love anything Comme Des Garcons! He once walked the brand’s runway back in the 80s. There is even a collection of shirts released by Comme Des Garcons featuring Basquiat’s artworks. I think they’re so cool.

Read more: Gen-Z fashion, streetwear, K-pop: Designer Tom Abang Saufi is still cool at 70

Can you describe your personal style? What sort of fashion do you go for?

I like anything very bright. Clothes have to be colourful – if there are no colours, then for me, there is no point wearing them. The socks have to be mismatched. I love boots too. I go for stuff that are comfortable, but also able to make a statement. I think it’s more about putting on an outfit that can make people smile. I like to think that I’m able to brighten up someone’s day with my dressing.

Being a Gen Z, do you agree that there is a generation gap when it comes to fashion preferences and styles?

I think Gen Zs wear whatever they like. There are a lot of different trends in fashion right now, and I think each one of us Gen Zs would have their own style. Gen Zs dress however they want, compared to the other generations.

It is believed that younger fashion consumers are focused on social and environmental issues, and they expect brands to be of the same mindset. What are your thoughts on this?

It really depends on each individual person. However, I think we can all agree that there need to be changes. There must be a way for fashion to be more sustainable because there are lots of places around the world with dumpsters filled with items from fashion brands. I’m not against fast fashion. I’m a person who wears a piece of clothing lots of times. Yet, we all can do more to incorporate sustainability in fashion – or even art, in general.

How do you see heritage crafts like batik and tenun surviving in the modern fashion world?

I think the younger people would only know of batik, but not tenun, songket and rattan. Personally, before working with my mum on her couture collection (last year), I didn’t know much about heritage crafts. So, I just wish they’ll always be around. I think these craftworks are very interesting, and as part of our culture, I don’t want to see them get lost in time.