...continued from page one Carven who started out his career designing for department stores, travels often to Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan to source for textiles. "Local availability is poor, but surprisingly Indonesia is a place to get fabrics with a lot of fine embroidery and beadwork, and it is not too far away. I'll be going to Japan soon for trade shows and seminars, but mainly to buy fabric." I then mentioned that Turkey, although further away from us than these other countries is reputed for its textiles, especially its natural fibres. It is the textile manufacturer behind the designs of many an established couturier in Europe. In fact, street fashion there is very current and chic, often not too far behind the Parisian scene. Carven was interested when I told him of the massive Sonia Rykiel Pret-a-Porter show at the Ciragan Palace overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul. "I really like Rykiel's work. She has been true to her philosophy of aesthetics throughout her career. Quiet, classic, elegant. With her small hats, stripes, and navy-and-white combinations. Always reworking that Clara Bow theme but in a new way." I then asked him who were some of his favourite international designers. "Karl Lagerfeld", he answered without hesitation. I was taken aback slightly by his choice. Lagerfeld is so aggressive, brash, and out-there-in-your face; a world apart from Carven himself. Then he explained that it was the little details in Lagerfeld Chanel line which he is drawn to. "The Chanel accessories-the goldchain-link belts, the black grosgrain piping, the camellia-are so very feminine. I also like Issey Miyake and Gianni Versace's Versus line." Another surprise. "So young, sexy, and bright." His taste and inspiration today is largely formed by his older sister who was a club songstress in Ipoh in the 1970s. He explained in his charming, idiosyncratic way, "She liked to 'fashion' and was dressed in the height of style back then. Teetering platforms, wide bell-bottoms, polyester figure-hugging blouses, and big plastic earrings. Everything I do is anchored around the look and mood of this era." And no wonder, his most recent fashion show for the MODA 1996 Designer Showcase at the Concorde showed his models wearing afro-looking wigs made out of frizzy spun thread. It was a very daring look and not likely to be carried into the streets. He lamented the lack of daring in Malaysian wearers. "They tend to wait for many others to wear the new styles first. Then when it has become popular, they look for it in the department stores." If you have the panache to carry off a Carven One, however, the only place his clothes can be found is at the Sogo MODA Designer's Gallery where he is showcased with five other Asian designers. As we drained our Kickapoo soda pop Carven indulged in a little daydream. "I would like to stage a grand fashion show in Paris with Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, and QiQi wearing my clothes." And then he stood up from behind his desk to take a business call. Suddenly in his crisp white shirt and black hipster trousers, with a faraway look in his eyes, he seemed focused and determined, no longer that boyish person larking about with an unclad mannequin 30 minutes ago. the full story | back | main | top | other people | back to mir