Discover how art historian John Ang redefines the Malaysian fashion scene with his Mughal-inspired collection. Mixing historical influences with contemporary flair, Ang’s designs celebrate cultural heritage while captivating audiences with their stunning elegance.
From Mughal heritage to contemporary chic
Art historian John Ang, who stumbled into the world of fashion last year, is ushering in the era of fashion shows with a historical and cultural emphasis. With only three public showings of his fashion and textiles, words has spread that this man is the NEXT in FASHION in Malaysia!
The creative director of Samyama embodies a unique blend of Western and Eastern upbringing. Born in the United States but raised in a Chinese Peranakan home in Singapore, Ang’s artistic talent extends to both east and west.
His maternal great grandfather, Datuk Major Cina Tan Hiok Nee, was a prominent textile merchant whose legacy is honoured in Johor Bahru with a street named after him.
This familial heritage has had a significant impact on Ang’s creative journey. His story reflects his ancestor’s collaborative spirit and shapes his proud Malaysian heritage, inspiring him to take an innovative approach to preserving and celebrating our region’s diverse cultural foundations through fashion.
A full-throated cheer to him for putting on such a remarkable and sumptuous textile and fashion showcase inspired by the history of the Mughals, with their Persians, Turks, Mongol, and Central Asian lineages that left an indelible mark on Northern India from 1526 to 1857.
Ang and his stylists combine long-forgotten clothing trends with current styles, making them more contemporary, while also delving into and celebrating many underexplored cultural narratives.
The models looked stunning, with a male model wearing hand embroidered kurtas in fine chikankari with repeat paisley pattern on white gorgette with Indian woodblock hand printed patterns cotton pants from Lucknow, and a green raw silk with gold thread brocade top and pants from Varanasi, India.
The female models wore pashmina shawls with silver chain stitch hand embroidery from Kashmir, a white cotton embroidered dress or syawal kamis with pants from Lucknow and a lovely hand-embroidered raw silk pink shawl from Ahmedabad.
What really impressed me was Ang himself. This man told a story at the beginning of the two-part show about the culture and mood of fashion, which kept us listening.
“This is not without in-dept research of fashion history and extensive exposure to the international contemporary fashion scenes. The Sumptuous Mughal Raya collection is the epitome of these efforts, showcasing unique garments that blend Mughal influences with contemporary Malaysian styles,” said Ang, whose Raya collection is a follow-up of his successful 2022 “Splendours of Malay World Textiles” exhibition.
When asked if his recent trip to India prompted him to bring on this show, he replied, “Yes, plus the fact that it was done in the past before. Sultans of all much preferred the more expensive Indian cloths over their local songkets to tailor their baju melayu.”
Ang added that the sumptuous Mughal theme was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Habib Jewels, who provided not only the Harta Gallery and Café Space for the fashion show, but also the exquisite Indian jewellery that complemented the collection.
Habib’s Group Executive Chairman, Datuk Seri Meer Habib’s private Indian jewellery collection made its debut in Habib’s history, bringing magnificence to the fashion show.
There was also a mesmerising Indian dance performance that incorporated body language and facial expressions. It was soothing and graceful.
The dapper-looking crowd was treated not only to an afternoon tea spread at Harta Café Space, but also to a feast of exquisite jewelleries.
The show featured models in splendid outfits and jewels catwalking around the audience, allowing spectators to get a closer look at the intricacies of the textiles and apparel, as well as the Habib jewellery.
From kurtas to baju kurung, all were paired with interesting and glittering Indian shoes, enticing many guests to purchase the showpieces in the sale following the spectacular fashion show.
Rumah Hartiqa was an indispensable force in the meticulous tailoring of the garments in this Sumptuous Mughal Raya Collection.
The models’makeup was an artistic touch of Bluemollyx.
The Samyama team’s commitment to preserving legacy through innovation is evident in each garment of this Sumptuous Mughal Raya Collection, which exudes Mughal splendour while seamlessly blending with the chic and contemporary style of today’s Malaysian culture.
