C. Khor
Kai Hung, a 26-year-old Penang-based designer, has emerged as a standout in Malaysia’s fashion scene, with his vibrant, culturally inspired bags gaining national prominence.
His bold designs, notably a Songket bag featured by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2025 announcement, highlight his unique blend of heritage and innovation, captivating enthusiasts across the country.
Chew Kai Hung’s creations, sold under his namesake brand Kai Hung, combine bright hues and diverse materials like PU leather, batik, and Songket.
This milestone, blending Malaysia’s ethnic identities, marks a significant step in his journey from a childhood hobby to a celebrated artisan.
Kai Hung’s rise to recognition
Chew’s ascent began when a local event organiser commissioned a custom Songket bag.
“Someone involved in promoting local artisans reached out to create a bag using handmade Songket,” Chew said.
Initially unaware of the bag’s destined recipient, he embraced the challenge, crafting a piece symbolising Malay, Indian, and Chinese heritage through Songket fabric, saree lining, and his own Chinese background.
Days later, a video revealed the Prime Minister holding his creation. “I was stunned and speechless,” Chew recalled.
This exposure, a career pinnacle, amplified Kai Hung’s visibility, affirming his role in Malaysia’s fashion landscape.
Chew’s bags, priced between RM200 and RM400, feature bold colours, especially yellows, and nature-inspired designs like sunrise motifs and seashell shapes.
“My designs are inspired by the fabric itself, and I choose styles that complement it,” he said.
His use of PU leather allows vibrant experimentation, creating textured, functional pieces with interior pockets for essentials.
Despite operating solo, Chew manages design, sewing, marketing, and customer service.
“Time management and competing with mass-produced designs are challenges,” he admitted.
Yet, his focus on unique, bold aesthetics sets Kai Hung apart in a market dominated by neutral tones.
From childhood hobby to career
Chew’s passion for design sparked at age 10, when his mother taught him hand-sewing for a school project.
“That’s when my interest in sewing began,” he said.
At 11, his parents gifted him a second-hand sewing machine, and his father guided him in crafting pouches from old clothes.
YouTube tutorials honed his skills, and by Form 1, Chew aspired to a fashion career.
After studying fashion design at Equator College in Penang, the 2020 Movement Control Order shifted his path.
“With extra time and no job, I revisited bag designing,” he said.
A viral TikTok video in 2021 solidified his resolve to pursue Kai Hung full-time, transforming a hobby into a thriving brand.
Chew draws inspiration from nature, fashion, and media, crafting bags like flower-shaped buckets that resonate with fans.
“I create based on my own ideas, not fleeting trends,” he said.
His commitment to originality and cultural heritage fuels his growing following on platforms like Facebook (Kai Hung) and Instagram (@kaihungofficial).
While Chew has not yet collaborated with traditional artisans, he remains open to future partnerships.
His designs, blending PU leather with fabrics like lace and sequins, showcase versatility and innovation, appealing to those seeking wearable art.
Chew aims to expand Kai Hung’s reach while preserving Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
“I want to keep growing and promoting our traditions,” he said.
His focus on functional, aesthetically striking bags ensures continued relevance in a competitive industry.
For those eager to explore Kai Hung’s creations, his vibrant collections are accessible online, offering a glimpse into a designer redefining Malaysian fashion with bold, heritage-inspired artistry.
CJMY
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