Alvin Chong is certainly going places. He has been seen making his rounds at the fashion weeks in Milan and New York recently, which is very much in line with his new aim of taking his career to an international level.
The multifaceted Malaysian artiste however reveals that he has put a pause on acting, citing the need to find himself identity-wise.
“Previously, I was known more as an actor – but I started off as a singer. So, I want to go back to my roots,” he says.
“The reason being that I love live interaction. When I perform, when I showcase my art, I love seeing the look on people’s faces. I love that energy. With acting, you can’t have that.”
Recently, Chong was honoured with the McM Rising Star award. It named him as the “Most Promising Fashion Icon Of 2023” at a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur.
Chong says that it has always been a dream for him to experience the international fashion weeks.
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“I was honoured and inspired to have been able to see all the latest collections from Coach, Prada, Hugo Boss and Onitsuka Tiger firsthand, which took place in cities that are known to be the epicentres of tastemakers and purveyors of cutting edge trends.”
He also claims that he has finally found his “personal style”, which is evident in the demure chic clothes he wore for this interview and photoshoot.
The 32-year-old has been the face of watchmaker Longines for two consecutive years. He was also recently invited to represent skincare brand, La Mer.
Just like the pivot into the style scene, he is also rebranding himself with a new persona in the entertainment industry – ALVN.
Chong launched a podcast series, R U OK?!, which is available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
His 11-year career in the local entertainment industry will be used as a springboard to achieve global reach.
He recently joined forces with European composers, Simon Reichardt, Felix Eickhoff and Rene Miller, for One More Night, featuring sensational South Korean singer-songwriter and composer, Youha.
According to him, music – like fashion – encompasses all aspects of life.
“When you watch a fashion show it is not just the clothes. There is also music when the models walk out. Sometimes there are performances on the runway to complete it,” Chong points out.
“So for me, being able to to combine the things that I love and make a career out of it is a lucky thing.”
How was your experience at the fashion weeks in Milan and New York?
What I’ve noticed is that things work differently there. Everything took place on a grander scale. There were even celebrities queuing up for the fashion week shows. Unless you’re the face of the fashion label, you still need to wait in line with the rest of the guests for entry.
The amount of photographers trying to get shots of everyone was also impressive. The people attending the shows remained fully focused on actually watching the models and taking in the fashion.
I would think that the culture of appreciating – or even, understanding – fashion is very different in those fashion capitals.
Has your personal style evolved over the years, both on-camera and in your day-to-day life?
I have my “faces”. To be honest, back then I knew nothing about fashion. I had no idea what I was wearing most of the time.
Then it came to a point where I was featured on magazine covers, which later led to me being invited to local fashion events. Yet, I still didn’t know what my style was. I wasn’t even sure that the clothes I wore looked good on me.
So, I tried different styles: bold colours, elegant looks, quirky getups.
Now, I wear things that I’m comfortable with. I currently go for clothes that are minimal in design, but still with certain standout elements, like texture – but nothing vibrant or too drastic.
Do you dress in the latest trends?
Not so much – just because trends are constantly changing. I think being aware of what’s trendy and actually wanting to adopt trends are two different things.
I personally believe that everyone has started to move towards a more minimalist and timeless way of dressing. It is no longer about hype.
Just look at the latest Gucci collection (unveiled by new creative director Sabato De Sarno), which is a lot less “in your face”.
What is it like being recognised as a fashion icon? Did you ever imagine that happening?
Nevertheless, it’s not something you can accept or decline, right? My mindset now is to perhaps try my very best to show that I’m worthy of it. It does come with a lot of pressure.
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You’ve been associated with a lot of international luxury brands. What are your thoughts on Malaysian fashion?
I’ve seen the progress of local designers here. Compared to ten years ago, I believe the designs here have become progressive.
For example, you have Kittie Yiyi. She’s a very bold designer. There is also Joe Chia. He has been in the scene for a long time, releasing great designs.
For the rest of the Malaysian designers, it’s not that I don’t like their creations, but more like I’m afraid I won’t be able to do them justice. I won’t be able to carry the looks.
Collaborations are huge in the fashion industry currently. Will you ever collaborate with a brand or designer to come up with your own fashion collection?
It has always been something at the back of my mind. What I can say is that I have to find someone who I can collaborate with.
I like minimalist designs, plus I’m particular about the quality of stuff that I wear. Any fashion collections that I come up with has to match those criteria.
If a fashion label is willing to explore the possibility of such a thing happening, then why not? Maybe we can work on releasing fashion “merch” (merchandise, especially as marketed to a particular fan base) for a start.
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