Julien Macdonald Retrospective Collection & Spring Summer 2016

Finally, I met Julien MacDonald, the i​conic Welsh fashion designer in person when he was here in Malaysia last weekend. That afternoon we were given a glimpse into the glamorous world of the stars at Julien Macdonald's first time ever Retrospective Exhibition. Plus a special fashion show featuring 8 specially-designed pieces for A Journey Through Time IX inspired by his travels around Malaysia together with his latest collection from the recent London Fashion Show. Julien Macdonald's Retrospective collection features 20 couture pieces that have been worn by celebrities such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian​.

Julien Macdonald Retrospective Collection & Spring Summer 2016

Well, the traffic jam and road closure in KL City when President Barack Obama was here in Kuala Lumpur for the 27^th Asian Summit did not deterred us from braving our way to meet Julien MacDonald. And I am fascinated by each and every piece of his creations, designs and details.

Julien Macdonald Spring Summer 2016 Fashion Show @ Starhill Gallery

Julien Macdonald, the renowned designer who has gained the admiration and loyal following of A-list celebrities and socialites with his unique red carpet gowns and distinct styles brings his brand of style and fashion into the luxurious world of A Journey Through Time IX​ at Stahill Gallery​.

Julien Macdonald Spring Summer 2016 Fashion Show @ Starhill Gallery

For the first time ever, Julien MacDonald had an exhibition of all the famous people who have worn his dresses. And he decided to do it in Malaysia. Usually we see the celebrities only on TV or social media but it’s great to get to see the clothes that they actually wear, up close and admire the details.

Julien Macdonald Spring Summer 2016 Collection showcase

A Journey Through Time IX @ Starhill Gallery

Julien Macdonald Spring Summer 2016

    

Julien Macdonald Retrospective Collection & Exhibition 

During  A Journey Through Time IX at Starhill Gallery

Beyond the fashion shows, the Julien Macdonald Retrospective Exhibition will give fans and fashionistas a closer look at Julien Macdonald’s beautiful creations. 20 couture pieces that have been worn by celebrities such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian will be on display at the Indulge Floor (G6 & G7) from 20 to 27 November 2015, 11am to 9pm. View and admire his glamorous and eye-catching designs in this first-in-Malaysia exhibition.

Interviewing Julien Macdonald

Interview session with Julien Macdonald after the show

After the fashion show, we have a quick interview session with Julien Macdonald in person. Here is an excerpt during his interview session with some of us:

1. Why and how is Julien Macdonald here for A Journey Through Time IX?

Julien: This is my fourth time in Malaysia. I like Malaysia, I like the city of KL and I also like the fabulous beaches and the culture, the people are very friendly.

I met Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min (Executive Director, YTL Corporation Berhad) and Dato’ Jimmy Choo (renowned Malaysian designer) when I first came here for Britain’s Top Model and I always had a dream of coming back. Then I came back again to open the Debenhams store. I was very happy to come back. Dato’ Soo Min always wanted me to come back and do a show here in Malaysia. She saw my fashion show in London and always wanted to bring the excitement to Malaysia.

So about a year ago, she asked me to be part of A Journey Through Time and she wanted me to do an exhibition as well like a retrospective of all my favourites. So, for the first time ever, I am having an exhibition of all the famous people who have worn my dresses so it is very emotional for me because I have never seen all the dresses in one room. Some of them, they tell my life’s story. So you can say that this is also ‘A Journey Through Time’ for me as well.

It’s nice that people get to see my work and understand all the craft behind it and get to see dresses that have been worn by famous people like Shakira, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian. For a lot of people they see these celebrities only on TV or social media but it’s great to get to see the clothes that they actually wear, up close and go wow! I think that’s nice.

2. His favourites from the fashion show (shown on 21 November)

Julien: I like the wedding dress, I like the romance. I always like the fairy tale story. It’s always important a wedding for anybody, it’s a big special day.

3. About the special collection for A Journey Through Time IX:

Julien: There are 8 special dresses exclusively for A Journey Through Time IX and they took inspiration from the colours, the things I saw in Malaysia. There’s a jade green dress coz I know that Malaysian people like the jade, I made two white dresses coz white is very pure, very glamourous, very red-carpet, I made a yellow dress coz I always think of Malaysia as always sunshine and I made a fire-red dress which is inspired by the taste of the orient. I like the colours so I made special dresses, embroidery.

Next week, I will take the Malaysian collection to Hollywood to show it to the most famous stylist in the world and hopefully those dresses will be worn by famous actresses on awards’ red carpets.

4. Advice on fashion

Julien: You can never be too fashionable. In Julien Macdonald’s world – always dress to excess. Even if the dress isn’t very very glamourous, diamonds are always a girl’s best friend. And I always focus on the neckline of a dress coz when I was in Givenchy, I was taught that the most important part of a woman is her face, the shoulders, the upper body. Always the focus when being photographed. So always focus on having a great hairdo, fabulous make-up and I think diamond earrings are always great and fabulous shoes – always high, never flats.

5. On his inspirations

Julien: I love to travel a lot and different places provide me different inspirations. I got the inspiration for my latest collection through the travel to Bali. I got the inspirations from their texture, temples and lifestyle. Also, I like to take inspirations from the past and translate them to the future.

6. On misconception about designers, when asked is it a glamourous world?

Julien: It is a glamourous world, a fantastic world but it is also very very difficult. If you manage to make it in fashion, it is incredibility rewarding. Thousands have tried, but only a few make it. What makes one (designer) more successful than another is you have to have an identity and a brand identity. And if you manage to do this, you can be successful. My identity is glamourous dresses and knit wear so people recognize the great knitwear and these amazing glamourous dresses, so this is what I do (and known for). You have to have a look that people can identify.

7. On natural talent

Julien: I was born with a gift. I think everybody is born with a gift in life but unfortunately not everybody finds their gift or they find their gift too late. I was lucky that I found my gift when I was young, and I manage to make it work for me. But everybody has a gift, that why some people are great mathematicians, physicists, lawyers - people who found their gifts, they become successful. I was lucky (to find my gift).

8. On future plans

Julien: I would like to make my collections more accessible so I’ve started to development men’s wear range, at the moment I am just experimenting with the looks. In the future, I would like to develop a more ready-to-wear collection.

For more information about Julien Macdonald Retrospective Collection & Spring Summer 2016 and A Journey Through Time IX @ Starhill Gallery, please visit www.starhillgallery.com