Local designer presents couture line

With the increasing sophistication and purchasing power of Malaysians, fashion designer Beatrice Looi feels the time is just right for a couture line which was launched recently. 

This otherwise minimalist creation is glammed up withshimmery fabric and a ruched front with ruffles.

After 18 years in the fashion business, of which seven were spent running her own label, designer Beatrice Looi is certainly no stranger to the fashion scene. Despite her vast experience, it is only now that she has decided to come up with a couture line which she has named Beatrice Looi Couture – Evening – After Five. A couple of years ago, Looi would not even have entertained the idea of creating a couture line. But things have changed and she now feels the time has come to glam things up. 

“There are so many hotels and events in the Klang Valley which people dress up for. If I can get just 2% of that, I already have a market,” she said, after the recent launching of her new upmarket store located at Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. 

Obviously, creations that bear her couture label will be suitable for elegant evenings out or red carpet appearances and other such glamorous events.  

The opening of the new luxury outlet also corresponds with efforts to reinforce the Beatrice Looi brand name. 

“We want to make Beatrice Looi a distinguished and renowned brand in the Malaysian fashion industry,” said Kent Tang, the company’s chief executive officer. Their strategy is to focus on the uniqueness of the product while enhancing service by training staff on various aspects of fashion such as knowledge of material and fabrication quality.  

Beatribe Looiadds oomph toearth tones withsequins andintricateembrodery.

Looi’s other retail outlets will be transformed into Bea by Beatrice Looi and will feature a wider range of outfits. 

“They will have more variety and ready to wear clothes at reasonable prices,” said Looi. 

Looi marked the opening of Beatrice Looi Couture by showcasing her first collection from the line. The look was classic and was inspired by nature with earthy and ethereal overtones that would look good on fairy princesses. 

“The launch of the collection takes place in such a nice setting and I wanted the concept to reflect that.” 

Clever use of lacelends classic styleto this sexy silknumber.

For the line, Looi used a lot of Italian silk and satin to create a look that was soft and natural. The colours were earthy and the fabrics create elegant silhouettes – the models resembled mythical creatures as they gracefully glided down the catwalk. 

The style was minimalist but many of the outfits were adorned with elaborate beading. There was also classy and detailed embellishment that enhanced the creations. Capes and shawls, reminiscent of a bygone era, dressed up the outfits while halter-tops added a sexy edge to the collection. 

With this line, Beatrice Looi is poised to become a regional brand. Plans for expansion to countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand are already in the works.