FASHION designer Dr Kenny Loh had never held a needle until 2017, when he pursued his passion for fashion and couture design, embarking on a journey to turn his interest into a thriving career.
Before venturing into the world of fashion, Dr Loh spent a decade as a nutritionist, having earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in the field.
However, his passion for preserving his cultural roots led him to pursue a different path.
“I have always had an interest in business, and one of my dreams is to preserve the essence of Baba Nyonya Peranakan culture.
“It was challenging at first, as I had never held a needle before 2017. But I was determined to learn. My aunt, who was in her seventies and a true Nyonya, taught me the basics and advanced techniques of crafting Nyonya kebaya.
“My parents also encouraged me to carry on our family’s Baba Nyonya legacy through fashion and couture design,” Dr Loh told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Dr Loh, now 46, shared that his aunt set two conditions before agreeing to teach him – he had to be able to draw and have the patience to learn.
“I mastered most of the skills within six months and was able to craft a mini framed kebaya, a Phoenix-design shawl, and a pair of beaded shoes.
“All of them have been sold – the shoes to a customer in Singapore, and the Phoenix-design shawl to a buyer in Europe,” he said.
Today, Dr Loh stands as one of the few artisans in the region specialising in the intricate art of Nyonya kebaya tailoring and embroidery. Recently, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in fashion design, culture, and the arts from Asian University International, recognising his dedication to preserving and advancing this cultural heritage.
Dr Loh’s dedication to his craft has earned him numerous accolades. Among his many awards are the Malaysia Good Design Awards from the Malaysia Design Council, under the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, which he won in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Other recognitions include the Malaysia Mastery of Craft Award (2022), Icon Fashion Designer (2022), Couture Designer of the Year (2022), Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (2023), ASEAN Emerging Designer of the Year (2023), and the Most Influential Heritage & Culture Art Fashion Designer of the Year at the 9th Asia Pacific Luminare Awards (2024).
Dr Loh was also one of three designers chosen to create Nyonya kebayas for Chinese actress Fan Bingbing when she made her debut as Melaka’s tourism ambassador in June. After receiving her measurements, Loh submitted several designs, and Fan selected three. She wore one of them, a pink kebaya, during her stay in Melaka.
Additionally, one of Dr Loh’s kebayas was worn by retired Hong Kong actress Amy Yip during her recent visit to Malaysia and Penang.
Penangite Ashlyn Ooi, Malaysia’s representative in one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions – the 62nd Miss International Beauty Pageant 2024 – will also be showcasing Dr Loh’s kebaya during the pageant week. She will represent both Penang and Malaysia at the event, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov 12.
Dr Loh expressed hope for increased efforts to promote the appreciation and awareness of Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoes, which are integral to Penang’s unique cultural heritage. By sharing these traditional elements with the world, he believes it will help showcase the rich, local identity of Penang and Malaysia on the global stage.
He also lauded Malaysia for collaborating with four neighbouring countries – Burnei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand – in submitting a multi-national nomination to have the kebaya recognised by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2023.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud