The 9th

Khoon Hooi

Born: 1971 in Parit Buntar, Perak
Education: Malaysian Institute Of Art 1991-1993

Khoon Hooi rode against the conventional tide when he found success abroad, although first launching and basing his career in Malaysia. Breaking into the fashion scene when he won the Asian Young Designers Award in 1997, KhoonHooi’s success can be attributed to his perseverance and never-give-up approach, seen when during a holiday trip to Paris, he lugged along his portfolio and boldly knocked on the door of as many fashion agents as he could. His hard work paid off when in 2006, he was one of three designers, and the only Malaysian designer chosen by an agent to be represented in the US while showing at the Singapore Fashion Week.