When talking about our country, we tend to narrate from a third person’s perspective rather than from our lived experiences as Malaysians. As certain sociopolitical issues arise, we are often left with only a call to action to react, not engage. It is easy to depersonalise in broad strokes, as hope, belonging and ownership dissipate along with the finer details. Could shame and hopelessness lead to this lost sense of ownership? 

(On Venessa) Hoodie jacket, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Gajen) Shirt, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Izzoe) Top, and skirt, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Mierul) Jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Juju) Corset, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Iqie) Top (worn as scarf), and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own
(On Kay) Top, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Angel) Dress, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Sneakers, Talent’s own

To rekindle a sense of ownership of the creative playground we call home, we speak to this generation of young creatives about ways they have made Malaysia their home, playground and arena. Meet these masters of their craft who paint in finer strokes.

Jacket, pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own; Shoes, Talent’s own

Home As An Incubator

As a professional arena, Malaysia has served as a fertile ground for creative growth. “Since there is not a lot of competition for girl groups here, we get to set the standard locally,” explains Angel from DOLLA. For every pioneer’s advantage comes a set of drawbacks, too. “We are like an experiment. Local audiences expect nothing but the best having compared us to international acts.” She sees it as a push factor for her band to do something different. However, as a society with a budding creative scene, the tension lies in striking the right chord between pushing the envelope and being commercially viable. “In a market where Malay ballads thrive best, musicians who aspire to try different styles struggle to find their voice,” describes singer Vanessa Reynauld. “‘You want to do R&B? That will not sell,’ labels would say.” 

Corset, skirt, cap, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M

In a collectivist community, the common thread in obtaining artistic recognition seems to lie with finding your tribe. Having quite literally grown up with his audience, Iqie who started Insomniacks right out of school has found home a comfortable space to grow. “We started this band when our listeners were 13, 15, and now they tell us they are still listening to our songs during their commute to work, or have our songs played at their weddings.” To him, Malaysians have big hearts and are open to exploring—as long as it is within reason for a relatively conservative society. Gajen, too, credited the warmth of Malaysians as part of his success as a creator. “Rather than looking at situations in a black or white manner just to quickly cancel someone online, Malaysians as an online community have been quite laidback and understanding of nuances.” Working directly with local brands has allowed models Kaarthini Kay and Juju Yahya to create an open conversation with designers and brand owners to be more inclusive. “If there is an opportunity to expand the shade or size range, we get to tell them.” recounts Kaarthini. 

(On Gajen) Jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Glove, singlet, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Izzoe) Corset, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Glove, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own

Looking Beyond Home

There comes a time (or many a’ times) when every young Malaysian is hit with this statement: move out of Malaysia because there is more money to be made and more opportunities available. Every answer tells a different headspace. “This is our home. As young people, we have the opportunities that lie ahead to make Malaysia better,” declares fashion student Izzoe. “Unlike the saturated creative scenes abroad, we get to hone in on our craft and represent ourselves as the best of Malaysia,” says Angel. For others, yearning to thrive locally can feel like unrequited love. “Having seen as someone who does not fit into conventional Malaysian beauty standards, there was always a sense of feeling like I did not belong. But as a performer, it is so important to me to reach out to my people at home first, before anywhere else,” which explains Vanessa’s spirit of defiance. To Mierul, Iqie and Gajen, home represents a sense of comfort they prioritise at this life stage. “I never want to lose the feeling of romanticising my trips overseas,” notes Mierul. Izzoe revealed that her foreign friends have taken a liking to Malaysia and its slower-paced lifestyle—so much so they have taken the liberty to move and settle down here.  

(On Kay) Dress, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Angel) Corset, skirt, and cap, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Sneakers, Talent’s own
(On Iqie) Top, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own

Making Malaysia Their Own

In the spirit of “hot people do not gatekeep”, we asked our group of young creatives their favourite hotspots. “Come for the coffee, stay for the tea. Coffeeboy Club at Gasket Alley is where a lot of industry folks go get their coffee and.. gossip,” Juju chortles. For a taste of nature, Kaarthini recommends parks out in Cyberjaya and Putrajaya, particularly Taman Saujana Hijau. “It is close enough to the city but does not give out city vibes. The parks are well taken care of and require low entrance fees.” For Vanessa, when she is not a homebody, she is out hitting the clubs with Angel. “It is a safe space for us. People just mind their own business, even if they recognise us, they do not say anything,” describes Angel when it comes to an undisclosed bar out in Bukit Damansara. On off days, Gajen returns to his comfort spot, Canai 15 Cafe at SS15, Subang Jaya for fried Nasi Lemak instead. When asked about the notoriety of Subang Jaya in youth culture, he laughs. “They are all true—the rats, the F-boys. I cannot defend them.” Mierul prefers to unwind at Sungai Pisang, out in Batu Caves for a semblance of serenity.

(On Iqie) Jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Juju) Corset, and skirt, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Tie, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Gajen) Hoodie jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own; Boots, Talent’s own

For these young creatives whose lives centre around presenting themselves to an audience, is there an attempt to dress for the weather? “I need to look fly. The way you carry yourself is the way people are going to treat you. Weather? Not a concern.” quips Vanessa. Committed to serving looks, it is a case of staying out of the sun or hoping that it rains to justify additional layers. “I go with a bottom-heavy look. For styling, I could layer a skirt over my jeans, but I keep the top simple—just a tank top does the trick.” offers Iqie. When dressing up becomes part of the job scope for public appearances, Angel and Gajen opt to dress comfortably outside of work. “It is going to be a hoodie that makes me feel comfortable and not get recognised. Unless I am travelling, though—then I will turn it out for the fit pics,” confesses Angel. 

(On Juju) Dress, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Mierul) Top, pants, bag, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Shirt (worn as waist belt), Stylist’s own; Shoes, Talent’s own

To Thrive At Home

To these creatives, perseverance comes in the form of conviction in their craft and looking to industry powerhouses for reference. “In the past, a lot of people have not taken TikTok creators seriously. I would be at a shoot with designers and musicians, and people would wonder ‘What is a TikToker doing here?’” confesses Gajen. He credits fellow creators Imran Bard, Azfar Heri and Cabi for their tenacity and ability to break through preconceived notions of their work, establishing themselves as serious industry professionals. Style-wise, model and entrepreneur Cyii Cheng and Behati’s Kel Wen come to mind as forces who put our fashion industry on the map. 

(On Venessa) Hoodie jacket, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Gajen) Shirt, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Izzoe) Top, and skirt, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Mierul) Jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Juju) Corset, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M
(On Iqie) Top (worn as scarf), and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own
(On Kay) Top, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own
(On Angel) Dress, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Sneakers, Talent’s own

For the everyday Malaysian, change happens with each finer stroke we paint. This class of creatives offers a shift in mindset. “Better awareness of our strengths and weaknesses allows us to strive for greater heights,” offers Mierul. Channel the critical attitude into forming opinions that help discover one’s taste. “Some of us are just stuck in our hater era. Hating for the sake of it makes it seem like we have an opinion on things, even when we do not,” remarks Iqie. Rather than ripping each other apart, look to uplift each other through supporting local artisans. “I see a lot of acts from neighbouring countries featuring their local brands in music videos and shows,” observes Angel. 

(On Mierul) Jacket, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Singlet, Stylist’s own; Sneakers, Talent’s own
(On Venessa) Top, and pants, Basquiat x Ev Bravado & Téla D’Amore x H&M; Boots, Talent’s own

Raised on the modesty of a developing nation and the internet, it is more than just memes they share—it is the kindred spirit towards owning Malaysia as their turf where they are constantly outgrowing the ceilings that have both sheltered them and pigeonholed their craft. Through their speech and composure, it is a hold in the present that keeps them grounded, knowing the future will arrive in due time. 

Photography Chee Wei

Creative Direction Izwan Abdullah

Styling Liew Hui Ying

Production Asha Farisha

Videography Tommy

Grooming Chu Fan & Sharman Yee / Plika Makeup

Hair Juno Ko, Cody Chua

Photography Assistant Max Ong

Videography Assistant Bernard Chong

Styling Assistants Tham & Jane

Outfits H&M Man, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tela D’Amore & Ev Bravado

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our June/July 2024 issue.