dial up the Equatorial heat with Our curated picks of stylish & accessible SEA Brands
Southeast Asia’s emerging fashion scene is bursting at the seams with innovation, exceptional craftsmanship, and a diverse array of styles, some of which are deeply rooted in the region’s rich history. From the meticulously chosen fabrics to thoughtfully crafted silhouettes, every design reflects a dialogue between tradition and modernity, culture and counter-culture, global influences and regional interpretations. And the best part? These unique pieces are accessible, with affordable shipping options to Malaysia.
Whether you’re seeking to express a distinctly Southeast Asian heritage through your fashion or to explore a regionally-made take on international trends, we’ve personally curated a list of fashion brands that have filled our online shopping carts time and time again.
Image credit: anaabu.co
caramel monster, VIETNAM & singapore
Look to Singapore-conceived, Vietnam-born Caramel Monster for timeless silhouettes, impeccable tailoring, natural fabrics, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
And unlike many of its competitors, “sustainability” isn’t a mere marketing buzzword. The label walks the talk by prioritising eco-conscious practices, such as exclusively using organic, recycled, or dead-stock materials for all their garments, using bio-based materials in their packaging, and producing made-to-order garments as opposed to large-scale manufacturing.
You’ll feel good in more ways than one too. Whether you’re strutting through city streets or on a beautiful island vacation, under the equatorial sun, nothing beats the cool, effortless elegance of their linen sundresses, billowing in the wind.
Image credit: caramelmonster.com
ANAABU, malaysia
The diverse tapestry of our national makeup offers local designers a rich palette of cultural influences to experiment with, no better exemplified than in ANNABU’s ethos. Through contemporary pastiches of beloved Malaysian heritage pieces, clothing represents more than personality and values – it also represents one’s cultural context.
Each campaign is a layered storybook told through clothing – stories of local life, people, and the quiet emotions attached to them. Each piece is steeped in the history of generations bygone, revisited and retold by their descendants through the updating of traditional silhouettes, patterns, and colours, effectively creating a bridge through past and present.
Image credit: anaabu.co
sanje, indonesia
This Bali-based brand is bringing basic button-ups to the next level with their playful embroidery designs.
Sanje is all about cheeky charm and whimsical details, turning everyday outfits into statements pieces with personalities through their unique, sewn-in designs. Their one-of-a-kind adornments feature everything from a dancing mushroom breast-patch on a field of green plaid to a playful olive cowboy vest that screams Wild, Wild West – plus, plenty of floral motifs that are a little easier to explain to curious strangers.
Primarily constructed from breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, you’ll never have to pick between comfort and style again.
Image credit: sanjewear.com
LOVEBUG, THAILAND
Fall head over heels with Lovebug’s adorable lineup of floral footwear. A charming blend of casual and couture, these custom, handmade designs feature floral embellishments that add a touch of whimsy and elegance – just enough to elevate any basic outfit.
For those with a keen eye for style and colour, their catalogue offers the perfect opportunity to mix and match different varieties of these vibrant botanical accents – orchids, lilies, roses – with any of their strappy sandal designs, allowing you to create a look that’s uniquely your own.
Image credit: @___.love.bug.___
PAFON, INDONESIA
Pafon embodies the essence of the sophisticated, business-savvy older sister who seamlessly balances a demanding 9-to-9 workweek with weekend relaxation and a thriving social life.
Mirroring this dynamic lifestyle are clothes with voluminous silhouettes, bold, sweeping cuts and architectural lines that radiate confidence, modernity, and quiet luxury. Pafon’s catalogue serves as the perfect blueprint to build a wardrobe that combines professional polish with chic, off-duty flair, ensuring you look impeccably stylish from boardroom to rooftop bar.
Image credit: yourpafon.com
BLACKDOG, THAILAND
Meanwhile, Blackdog embodies the avant-garde spirit of the trendsetting Aquarian younger sister at fashion school, constantly pushing the boundaries of style with a penchant for the unconventional.
Rooted in the philosophy of unrestricted fashion, the Bangkok-based brand presents a collection of contemporary pieces crafted from materials that stretch and adapt to your body. Their lineup brims with disproportioned silhouettes, mesh fabric in eye-catching graphic prints, and cutting-edge designs.
If you’re looking to up the sartorial ante of your wardrobe with some truly unique pieces, Blackdog will serve you loyally.
Image credit: blackdogbkk.com
GHOSTBOY, MALAYSIA
Ghostboy is a tailored love letter to the alternative youth scene as it resides in the nooks and crannys of Kuala Lumpur. In a similar vein, they’ve effectively carved out a distinctive niche for themselves in the Malaysian high fashion scene, their unapologetic presence an homage to marginalised identities largely excluded from these spaces.
By employing abstract, fragmented forms in their pieces, the up-and-coming label works to literally and figuratively deconstruct the normative values, and beliefs embedded in local fashion, and consequently, our own nebulous self-concepts.
Image credit: ghostboy.club
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