Dato Sri' Bernard Chandran (Tamil: பெர்னார்ட் சந்திரன்; born 27 February 1968) is a Malaysian fashion designer and television personality of Indian and Chinese origin, best known for modernising Malay traditional dress and presenting his work internationally.^[1][2] He founded the Bernard Chandran label in 1993, won the Open European Contest for Look of the Year and the Silk Cut Young Designers Award in 1991, and has been conferred Malaysian honourifics including Dato' (DIMP) and Dato' Sri (SSAP).^[3] He is often referred to as Malaysia's 'King of Fashion' and has been profiled by Tatler Asia, Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, Prestige, Options The Edge, and Vogue UK.^[4][5][6] He gained recognition as the chief designer on the reality television show Project Runway Malaysia, which premiered on 8TV on August 3, 2007.^[1] Additionally, Chandran appeared as a guest judge on Britain's Next Top Model, Cycle 6, Episode 12, in which the top three models walked in his fashion show during London Fashion Week.^[2]

Bernard Chandran was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to P. Ramachandran and Chow Yook Lin, of Indian and Chinese heritage respectively.^[7] Growing up in a multicultural environment, he was exposed to diverse cultural traditions from a young age, which would later influence his design philosophy. Initially studying accounting to fulfill his father's wishes, Chandran realized after eighteen months that his true passion lay in fashion design. In 1988, he convinced his father to allow him to pursue his dream and enrolled at the International Fashion Training College (IFTC) in Kuala Lumpur. In 1991, he won the 'Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000', becoming the first non-European recipient of the title.^[8] Determined to further his education in the fashion capital of the world, he moved to Paris where he studied at the Paris American Academy and trained in pattern making at L'Union Des Chambres Syndicales Parisiennes, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.^[3]

While still studying in Paris in 1991, Chandran achieved the exceptional distinction of becoming the first non-European to win both the prestigious Silk Cut Young Designers Award and the Open European Contest for Look of the Year. This early recognition established his reputation as a designer of exceptional talent.^[3]

Upon graduating in 1993, Chandran returned to Malaysia with the ambition to become, in his words, 'the Chanel of Malaysia. He launched the Bernard Chandran label and began building his fashion empire from Kuala Lumpur. In 1994, he introduced a revolutionary new silhouette and technique for using embellishment and fabrics in traditional Malay outfits, particularly the kebaya and baju kurung. This innovation marked a pivotal turn in the way traditional Malaysian attire was designed and worn, earning him recognition among Malaysian aristocracy and the Brunei royal family.^[3]

In 2000, Chandran received the Maurice Lacroix Recognition Award, acknowledging his contributions to Malaysian fashion.

In 2003, Chandran opened his flagship boutique in Kuala Lumpur and was named Designer of the Year at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards (MIFA) The following year, in January 2004, he expanded internationally by opening his first European store in Knightsbridge, London^[9] A major milestone came in 2005 when Chandran became the first Malaysian designer to showcase at London Fashion Week, debuting his Autumn/Winter 2006 Ready-to-Wear collection. He continued to present collections at London Fashion Week for several seasons, establishing his presence in the international fashion circuit. His line became available in Europe, Dubai, and throughout the Far East.^[10] In 2006, Chandran was conferred the title of Dato' (DIMP) by the Sultan of Pahang in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the fashion industry.^[9]

This honorific, equivalent to a knighthood in the United Kingdom, reflected his status as a cultural ambassador for Malaysian fashion.^[3] Chandran's influence extended to television in 2007 when he served as head judge on Project Runway Malaysia, inspiring a new generation of designers. The following year, he appeared as a guest judge on Britain's Next Top Model.^[10] In 2009, he received the MIFA Special Achievement Award.^[9]

In 2011, Chandran opened Area 27, a concept store in Kuala Lumpur. The following year, he designed the official attire for Malaysian athletes at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2013, he curated The Contemporary Malay Wedding, showcasing his vision for modernised traditional wedding attire.^[10]

In 2016, Chandran was elevated to Dato' Sri (SSAP), a higher honorific title.^[9] The following year, he won Designer of the Year at the Malaysia Fashion Awards.^[9][10]

In 2019, Tatler Asia named Chandran Asia's Most Stylish, a recognition he has maintained through 2025.^[3][9][10] Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, his work continued to attract international celebrities, including Fan Bingbing, who wore a striking Bernard Chandran gown in Melaka in 2024.^[11]

In 2024, Chandran celebrated 30 years in fashion with the Unmatched exhibition, featuring 111 archive pieces that traced his evolution as a designer.^[10][12][13] He also launched the MYTH Evolution exhibition, dedicated to his late mother and inspired by the Chinese dragon. In 2025, this exhibition was extended to Christie's London as MYTH Creation.^[14]

Chandran is recognized for contemporising the kebaya and baju kurung, traditional Malay garments, by blending modern tailoring, intricate embellishment, and bold prints.^[3][10][15] His approach combines sharp silhouettes with feminine elegance while maintaining an edgy aesthetic. The Paris-trained couturier is credited with successfully bridging his rich cultural heritage with contemporary fashion, making traditional Malaysian attire accessible and appealing to modern audiences.^[9]

His annual Petang Raya showcases demonstrate his innovative approach to festive fashion, incorporating unconventional materials such as leather, denim, and sportswear elements into traditional silhouettes.^[10][4] This willingness to experiment while respecting tradition has defined his signature style and influenced contemporary Malaysian fashion design.^[4]

Chandran's celebrity clientele includes international figures such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Estelle, Tori Amos, and Michelle Yeoh, as well as members of royal families in Malaysia and Brunei.^[10][3][16] He has also collaborated with global brands, including a Mickey Mouse capsule collection.^[16]

In recognition of his work promoting Southeast Asian design, Chandran participated in the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, presenting a songket-based design at Buckingham Palace in a showcase curated by Vogue UK.^[10][17]

Dreams & Reality (2022): Displayed over 130 unique couture pieces, highlighting Chandran's journey through fashion and his mastery of haute couture craftsmanship.^[18][19]

Unmatched (2024): A retrospective exhibition marking 30 years in fashion, featuring 111 archive pieces that traced Chandran's evolution from his early designs to contemporary collections.^[12][13]

MYTH Evolution (2024): An art exhibition in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Chandran's late mother and inspired by the Chinese dragon, exploring themes of heritage, transformation, and cultural identity.^[14]

MYTH Creation (2025): An extended exhibition at Christie's London, continuing the MYTH series and bringing Chandran's artistic vision to an international audience.^[14]

He is married to Datin Mary Lourdes Chandran, a former Malaysian model of ethnic Indian origin who supported his decision to pursue fashion from his early days in Paris. The couple maintains strong cultural traditions, particularly during Diwali celebrations. Each year, Chandran personally designs new outfits for their children, emphasizing white and gold colors for their symbolic associations with purity and auspiciousness. These family rituals reflect Chandran's commitment to preserving cultural heritage while adapting it for contemporary life.^[15] They have five children. Chandran, a Hindu, stated that he wants his children to be grounded in Hinduism.^[20][21]

Bernard Chandran is widely credited with modernising Malay traditional attire and elevating Malaysian fashion onto the international stage.^[12][22] His reinterpretations of the kebaya and baju kurung have influenced a generation of designers in Southeast Asia, demonstrating how heritage and contemporary aesthetics can coexist.^[22] Through exhibitions such as Dreams & Reality and Unmatched, Chandran has preserved couture as a form of cultural storytelling, while his MYTH Evolution and MYTH Creation projects demonstrate his ability to merge art, fashion, and personal heritage.^{[12][14][18][19]}

Often referred to as Malaysia's 'King of Fashion,' Chandran's legacy lies not only in his celebrity clientele and international showcases but also in his role as a mentor and cultural ambassador. He has inspired younger designers to embrace tradition while innovating for global relevance, paving the way for many who wish to pursue careers in fashion in a region where conservative attitudes historically limited such ambitions.^[3]

• He was the first Malaysian to win the 'Open European Contest for Look of the Year 2000' in 1991.
• He was voted Designer of the Year at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards in 2003.
• He received the honorific Dato' in 2006 when Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Pahang, Malaysia awarded him the Dato' Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP).^[20]
• Chandran was awarded the Malaysian International Fashion Alliance's [MIFA] Special Achievement Award in 2009.^[23]
• Received Diamond of Excellence Award by Malaysia Tatler in 2016.^[24]
• He received the honorific title Dato' Sri in 2016 when he was conferred the Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) by Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, the Sultan of Pahang, Malaysia.^[25]
• Pahang
  • Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – Dato' (2006)
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2016)
  • He received Designer of the Year & Malaysia Fashion Awards in 2017.^[3][9]
  • Named Asia's Most Stylish and Asia's Most Influential by Tatler Asia. (2019-2025)^[10]

• Official Webpage of Bernard Chandran
• Yahoo! group for Bernard Chandran
• Official Facebook Fan Page for Bernard Chandran