Terimunite and Tanestrran Chandran grew up with fashion woven into their daily lives.
Their father’s prolific career shaped their earliest memories – fittings, sketches and shows were simply routine.
Now, the brothers are stepping into the industry themselves with menswear brand Figure.
Yes, their father is none other than Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran, whose name has become synonymous with Malaysian fashion.
He is known for his bold designs, royal clientele, and a career that has made waves beyond local borders.
For 24-year-old Tanestrran though, it was never about stepping out of their father’s shadow.
“People on the outside think about that more than we do. For us, it’s really just about doing what’s needed and staying focused,” says the more creatively inclined of the two.
Terimunite, 31, who handles the business side of their brand, shares that their work now is more about preserving the family name.
“I think my dad has always made us a priority, no matter how busy his career got. This business is just an extension of that,” he shares.
That familial bond is immediately felt when stepping into their boutique.
Decorated in a masculine style – dark accents, clean lines, leather furnishings and subtle metallic details, the space also carries personal touches that speak to who they are and where they come from.
A pair of vintage chairs, once used as props in the 1960s Batman television series starring Adam West, were bought by their father years ago from a vintage store.
Nearby, a collection of Mickey Mouse figurines represents each member of their family (interesting detail: their mother, Mary Lourdes-Chandran, is a former model).
So far, only two of the five Chandran siblings have inherited the interest in fashion – though when asked, the answer is a teasing “for now”.
Terimunite and Tanestrran have this in common: neither studied fashion.
The older brother has a business administration degree, while the younger studied psychology.
They also share similar views on their father’s parenting style, particularly when it comes to how closely he monitors their work on the Figure brand.
When asked if they consider him a “helicopter parent”, they jokingly say yes in unison.
“He wants to help us out in any way he can. He also wants us to realise the weight of what we’re doing,” Tanestrran adds, this time in all seriousness.
What sparked the decision to follow in your father’s footsteps?
Terimunite: The turning point for me came while I was watching House Of Gucci.
It showed how the brand began with leather goods, and how the next generation of the Gucci family stepped in to grow it into what it is today. That really struck a chord with me.
I realised I had a similar opportunity.
I’d watched my dad create beautiful garments for years, and I started asking myself – why am I not part of this?
A few years ago, my dad acquired a tailoring boutique, and I thought maybe this is something I could get involved in.
I’ve always been into menswear, and so is my brother – so I figured, why not get him to join me too?
Before all this, I honestly never imagined myself working in fashion. I always thought it was a tough industry to break into.
What is your personal take on fashion? How do you approach menswear – both in terms of your own style and dressing up?
Tanestrran: A lot of people come into fashion with this heavy sense of theory.
There’s so much studying, overthinking, and trying to fit into certain moulds.
But for me, it’s really about being yourself and feeling comfortable with your own style.
Fashion should feel organic, not something you overanalyse based on whether something is trendy or whether people will like it.
It’s good to be aware of trends, to understand what’s happening globally in the industry.
When it comes to dressing yourself though, it should ultimately come down to what feels right for you.
Read more: 'Doing what I love': Malaysian fashion designer Zang Toi is living his best life
What’s the dynamic like working together as brothers at Figure?
Terimunite: I focus more on operations, pricing, finances and overall strategy.
My brother leans toward the creative side of things.
He also plays an important role as the bridge between me and our dad.
Sometimes there are things I find hard to communicate, especially when it comes to creative direction, and my brother is really good at putting those thoughts into words.
He understands both my perspective and our dad’s, and he’s able to connect the two in a way that works for all of us.
Can you share a memorable moment you have had with your father while witnessing his creative process?
Tanestrran: There are just simply too many. One of the most recent was when putting together the Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show for Figure.
I got to work closely with him, and it was really fascinating to witness how his mind works, especially during the styling process.
We were preparing everything ahead of time with the models, and at one point, he pulled out a piece from his 2006 London Fashion Week collection – a cummerbund that he had originally modernised for womenswear.
Almost 20 years later, he just put it on the model during a test shoot, and surprisingly, it ended up becoming an integral part of the final collection.
That spontaneous, organic moment really stood out to me.
Nepo babies have become a hot topic on social media. What are your thoughts on the conversation, and how would you respond if someone labelled you as one?
Terimunite: Growing up, it was tough because there was always this feeling that no matter what you did, it would never ever be enough – that it would always be compared to your parent’s success.
At one point, I really wanted to break away and do everything on my own.
I didn’t want to take anything from my father or rely on his name.
But as I got older and started working, people around me would say, “Why not make the most of what you have?”
That eventually made me realise – if you’re given an opportunity, use it. There’s no shame in that.
So for me, it’s about honouring my family’s name – not taking it for granted, not tarnishing it – but doing the work, doing it well, and giving back.
If you’re doing it with integrity and in a positive way, then embrace the label.
Do you think the idea of men dressing up and taking interest in fashion has changed over the different generations?
Tanestrran: The scene has really blown up thanks to social media, even for those who aren’t necessarily into fashion.
There are drawbacks – like the rise of a “clone” culture, but it’s also opened the door to greater freedom and self-expression, with men interpreting fashion in more interesting and authentic ways.
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