Han Chong does not waste time. The day before his photo shoot and interview with Tatler, the Malaysian designer hosted four separate sessions to personally introduce Self-Portrait’s pre-fall 2023 collection to his Malaysian clientele. Kuala Lumpur was the penultimate stop of his short Asia tour, having completed his rounds in Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai. His next stop was Singapore, heading there on the day of our shoot. Chong’s busy schedule is meticulously pre-planned months, or even a year, in advance, but this is his normal; he has always worked at a breakneck pace.
In 2013, the Penang-born, London-based designer launched his womenswear label Self-Portrait with a collection of reasonably priced guipere lace dresses. Within a year, the brand’s signature designs were stocked in Selfridges, the prestigious British department store. Within five years, SelfPortrait had opened its first flagship store, on Albemarle Street in London; become the highlight of the New York Fashion Week circuit; and garnered endorsements from some of the world’s most high-profile names, including Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton.
“In the early days of Self-Portrait, I was still figuring things out on my own but I knew I had to make the most of any opportunity. I had to scale up, build my team and set up the right infrastructure very quickly to meet the demand,” Chong recalls with a laugh.
Against the odds, Self-Portrait graduated from being an emerging brand to an established label with commercial success in two of the world’s most competitive fashion markets. But just as it was beginning its global domination, the pandemic brought the entire fashion industry to a grinding halt.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mathew Leong
As the Norway-based Singaporean chef celebrates a milestone year both personally and professionally, he opens up about the toughest moments of his career and why failing is not an option
Asian Inspirations
Chef Ace Tan on his second restaurant, Asu-his love letter to regional Asian cuisine
State of the Arts
Arts nominated member of parliament Usha Chandradas discusses growing the creative economy by focusing on both supply and demand
Through a Curator's Lens
Circe Henestrosa, a fashion curator and the head of the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, merges her personal connection with artist Frida Kahlo with her extensive curatorial experience to explore intersecting themes of identity, disability and cultural heritage
Second Nature
Poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong brings fresh perspectives to the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival, from interdisciplinary perspectives to multilingual programmes
Wine Down
Nothing wraps up the day like a nice glass of vino. From flashy hedonistic escapades to geeky watering holes, these new wine bars promise celebrated viniferous pours that will please even the most discerning of oenophiles
A Legacy in Silhouettes
Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house's heritage and introduces the new Manolo's Silhouettes campaign
To Have and to Hold
With its sumptuous textures, Loro Piana's elegant autumn/winter 2024 collection is a chic celebration of craft, quality and the universal appeal of tactility
Scent of Strength
Hermès unveils its first chypre perfume, Barénia―a captivating fragrance crafted by renowned perfumer Christine Nagel that embodies bold femininity and celebrates the brand's rich heritage
Nocturnal Revival
Nighttime skincare rituals will get a boost of supercharged restoration with La Mer's new Rejuvenating Night Cream
