Melinda Looi
Melinda Looi | |
|---|---|
| 吕例霓 | |
| Born | March 12, 1973 |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Organization | Mellooi Creation Sdn. Bhd. |
| Known for | Couture, ready-to-wear, uniform design |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | melindalooi |
Melinda Looi (Chinese: 吕例霓; born 12 March 1973) is a Malaysian fashion designer. She works in couture, ready-to-wear, and uniform design, and served as president of the Malaysian Official Designers' Association (MODA) from 2019 to 2023.[1]
Early life and education
Looi was born in Kuala Lumpur to a family involved in garment manufacturing; her parents operated a pleating workshop known as "Pleats by Looi".[2] She learned sewing and garment construction at an early age.[2]
In 1995, she won the Malaysia Young Designer Award, which granted her a scholarship to study fashion at LaSalle College of the Arts in Montreal, Canada.[2] After completing her studies, she worked briefly in costume design for television and film in Canada before returning to Malaysia.[3]
Looi has four children.[2]
Career
Fashion lines
In 2000, Looi founded her namesake brand under Mellooi Creation Sdn. Bhd., launching both couture and ready-to-wear collections.[2]
In 2003, she introduced a diffusion line, MELL, targeted at younger consumers.[4]
Uniform design
In 2009, Looi expanded into uniform design through her label Uniform Atelier.[5] Uniform Atelier has produced custom uniforms for hotels and corporate clients in Malaysia and overseas, such Hyatt Centric Kuala Lumpur.[6]
In 2021, Looi was included in Tatler Asia’s “Asia’s Most Influential (Malaysia)”.[2]
In 2024, Looi debuted a cultural-fusion collection featuring batik motifs and beadwork.[7] Later that year, she collaborated with Penan artisans in Sarawak to create a rattan-based gown worn by singer Aina Abdul.[8]
In 2025, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing wore a bespoke Baju Kurung designed by Looi for her Datukship conferment ceremony.[9]
References
- ↑ Cheong, Bervin (6 April 2023). "Malaysian designers celebrate 30 years of colourful local fashion". The Star.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Melinda Looi". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "Interview with Melinda Looi". Luxurious Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ↑ Hasnul, Ainina (22 July 2024). "In Conversation with Melinda Looi & Motoguo". Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia.
- ↑ Murugesan, Meera (21 February 2023). "#FASHION: Breaking convention". New Straits Times.
- ↑ "Melinda Looi's Uniform Atelier brings the designer motif into the workplace". The Peak. 2025.
- ↑ "Melindalooi unveils cultural fusion collection with batik motifs, beaded patches for new year". Malay Mail. 10 January 2024.
- ↑ "Designer Melinda Looi collaborates with Penan artisans on singer Aina Abdul's rattan dress". Malay Mail. 13 June 2024.
- ↑ "Fan Bingbing's Datukship outfit designed by Malaysia's own Melinda Looi". The Star. 25 August 2025.