Malaysian Fashion Designer, Peter Lum showcased his latest collection under his fashion label, Styled By Peter Lum, simply entitled “Something For Audrey” at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024 at Suria KLCC ESPLANADE.
“Something For Audrey” is his tribute to the timeless fashion and style legacy made popular by
film icon, Audrey Hepburn. Fashion and movie icon, Audrey Hepburn’s dressing style both on and
off screen can be summarised as “minimalist chic”. Always discreet, subtle and adhering to clean
lines and simple shapes. Her screen legacy has left us with classic and memorable films such as
Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954) (she sang a few bars of La Vie En Rose in that movie),,
Funny Face (1957), Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961), Paris When It Sizzles (1964), My Fair Lady
(1964), How To Steal A Million (1966), Two For The Road (1967), Wait Until Dark (1967) and more.
Her on and off-screen wardrobe were mainly by famous Parisian Couturier, Hubert De Givenchy.
She first worked with him on her film, Sabrina (1954) and throughout her film career, and in her
private life, she continued to wear his creations. She finally broke the tradition in a movie called
“Two For the Road” (1967) – where she wore off-the-peg garments from designers like Ken Scott,
Michèle Rosier for V de V, Mary Quant, Paco Rabanne, Miss Dior, Foale and Tuffin, Andre
Courage; shoes by Charles Jourdan and Salvatore Ferragamo and even a bag by Louis Vuitton!
But why Audrey Hepburn? Peter has been listening to his Mother’s favourite records since he was
3! One of the many songs that lingered in his memory was melancholic song called “Moon River”.
Growing up in the late 60’s and 70’s here in Kuala Lumpur, vintage and classic films were never a
popular trend then. Until he moved to Toronto to continue his studies, he encountered a movie
called “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. That was where the song came from! It also featured an impossibly
elegant, glamorous and massively captivating actress named Audrey Hepburn, wearing some of
the most beautifully crafted dresses, coats, and hats! In an instant, a life-long obsession
materialised From that moment his bookshelves were filled with books on the actress, and his
record collection was invaded by Original Soundtrack LPs and 45s from her movies. He now
keeps a collection of her movies on DVD and Blu Ray and even most of the soundtrack on CDs! In
her films, Audrey almost always, appeared chic and stylish with Givenchy’s influence. The power
duo, had greatly influenced Peter’s design mind as he continues to appreciate the minimalist, clean
lines and chic timeless fashion that had embrued into mind and continues to influence his design
vernacular.
Although Audrey’s style was known for being mostly and almost consistently minimalist, she had
taken a walk on the avant-garde side with metal disc covered dress, long sari-inspired dresses or
even when she wore a dramatic red-feathered gown by Givenchy to California’s Lifetime
Achievement Award honouring Givenchy in 1988!
For this collection, Peter continued to keep his lines clean and modest but updated for the
contemporary woman. This collection features daywear into cocktail wear in the form of dresses,
along with suits and coordinates that can be reconfigured and re-coordinated with different bottoms
to create a personalised style for different wearer’s requirements or needs. The twelve looks are
merely a glimpse into the design ideas that Peter can further develop for individual clientele and
their unique personalities, yet maintaining the chic elegance that is the core of the collection.
The eyewear used on the runway models are from Escada Eyewear, with kind sponsorship by AV
Eyewear Sdn Bhd.
Currently, Peter is concentrating on bespoke custom-made-to-orders, and taking a break away
from the very competitive Ready To Wear lines to give his private customers his personal attention
to helping create garments to build a timeless wardrobe for the discerning customer. For
interested clients, can reach him at +6012-730-0182 or via his social media on IG and FB at
styledbypeterlum to set up appointments.
