Melinda Looi Lai Yee is a fashion designer known for her avant-garde and vintage style. She won the title Designer of the Year three times, twice at the Malaysian International Fashion Awards Malaysian International Fashion Week and latest in 2009 at Mercedes Benz Stylo Fashion Awards. She has three distinct brands, which are: Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL, which are sold in Malaysia, and boutiques in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Her latest addition is a sub-line called MELL BASICS consisting of basics made from cotton.
Education and early years
Melinda Looi was born into a family where her mother was a cheongsam tailor. She had no plans to venture into fashion as she wanted to become an artist. However, her parents were against it as it was too risky and thus decided upon the next best thing, fashion. She studied at the La Salle Institute of Design in Kuala Lumpur before winning the title of Malaysia Young Designer Award in 1995. The prize was a scholarship to study at the La Salle School of Fashion in Montreal, Canada. In 1998, Melinda returned to Malaysia and worked for her parents' business for a year before venturing out on her own. Looi's prêt-a-porter wear and couture line have been sold in the United States, Middle East, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Fashion business
Mellooi Creation was formed in the year 2000. Today, a private limited status has been formulated and Mellooi Creation Sdn. Bhd. was created to further develop business opportunities for Melinda Looi Couture, Melinda Looi Prêt-a-Porter, and MELL in local and international markets. Being part of the multi-racial and multicultural country that is Malaysia she has consistently drawn inspiration from this rich cultural diversity. Lately, she has been participating in the Islamic Fashion Festivals in Jakarta, Indonesia, London, New York, Monte Carlo, Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, venturing into a new and booming market, with her creations that were traditional yet modern.
Brands
Melinda Looi Couture Melinda Looi Couture is the designer's top of the line collection under the brand. It is made to measure clothes with the usage of materials such as French laces and silk-chiffons. The line is also extended to bridal gowns. The Melinda Looi Couture Showroom is located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur where the couture collections can be found and the designer herself is based. Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter is her collection of ready-to-wear evening dresses in a series of cocktail dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories. Since 2009 this line also offers ready-to-wear bridal gowns. MELL Offers an alternative wardrobe for men and women seeking casual wear. Their line is currently only available in Malaysian outlets. MELL BASICS Is the first basic brand fully made from cotton in Malaysia. emel by Melinda Looi 'emel by Melinda Looi’ is a fashion initiative by Melinda Looi, offering an annual Raya ready-to-wear collection, whereby a part of sales proceeds from the collection will be donated to a selected charity each year.
Family
Melinda has been happily married since 2003 to German born, Dirk Luebbert, who is the Managing Director of Mellooi Creation. They currently have four children.
