Swiss Watch and IWC Schaffhausen celebrate craftsmanship and the strive for excellence in a special collaboration with leading Malaysian designers
The world we live in today is rife with uncertainty. In the past two years, lives have been instantaneously transformed, as citizens across the globe have had to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape.
It goes without saying that this challenging period has assuredly accelerated change and transformation beyond our comfort zones. If anything, it has compelled us to experiment, evolve and above all else, push ourselves and our teams to grow and go above and beyond our capabilities and talents.
As lives around the world have transformed overnight, celebrated Malaysian fashion designers, Jovian Mandagie, Rizman Nordin and Khoon Hooi have also had to adapt to this changing landscape. Bringing their stories to life, Swiss Watch and IWC Schaffhausen went behind the scenes to uncover the personal journeys and stories of each one of them.
The essence of this collaboration emphasises the power of hope, time and perseverance. It also celebrates the talent, craftsmanship and artistry behind each gentleman. This exclusive collaboration sees the trio sharing their challenges in the last two years and how they have had to adapt and pivot to stay ahead of their game. Each story is inspirational and testament to the fact that challenges in life often draw out the best of us. It pushes us to be out of our comfort zone and propels us into new horizons
“Stick Together and Put Trust In Leadership” – Jovian Mandagie
Launching his own ready-to-wear line in August 2012, Jovian Mandagie has established himself as one of Malaysia’s top designers. Jovian’s unique collections are highly sought after, and for good reason too because he ensures that all his designs are meant to accentuate a woman’s looks, be it a couture piece, ready-to-wear or accessories.
That intent helped carry Jovian through the COVID-19 crisis, which he admits riddled him with uncertainty. “I didn’t know what was going to happen next, but fortunately with the support from my team and our ‘Jovianistas, we managed to quickly pivot the business, moving from designing fashion apparel to essential items like face masks,” says Jovian. This quick decision to move into fashion accessories not only helped him weather the storm but also opened new opportunities for him in the world of fashion designing.
“Even though it has proven challenging, COVID-19 has made us all realise different things about ourselves,” he says. “For me, it’s about trusting leadership and your team, because it’s important to always support and have each other’s back all the time. This crisis has enforced the fact that we all need to stick together.”
A designer with a penchant for timeless, evergreen, and classic lines and details, Jovian is particularly drawn towards the IWC Portugieser Automatic Boutique Edition IW500713. With its characteristic minutes scale, appliquéd Arabic numerals, and slender feuille hands, the 42.3mm stainless steel model exemplifies the Portugieser design exquisitely.
“Adapt To Change, Discover Opportunities” – Rizman Nordin
A designer with his own unique touch and vision, Rizman Nordin has set his designs apart by combining colourful and glamourous red-carpet theatrics. Running the fashion label Rizman Ruzaini with Wan Ruzaini Wan Jamil, he has carved a reputation for his enthusiasm in showcasing designs with their own distinctive identity.
But Rizman is also blessed with formidable business acumen to match his creativity as a designer. When the pandemic hit, he immediately shifted to an online platform to cater to the ‘new normal’. “I realised people were staying home, so I transformed my business to cater to this new dynamic. I am happy that it’s really doing well for us.”
Finding opportunities and ways to succeed in business is fuelled by his responsibility as a leader admits Rizman. “I have a team behind me, and I know they are dependent on me, so that is my motivation.” Although COVID-19 proved disruptive, the designer admits that being at home afforded him the luxury of more family time, which he embraced with open arms.
“I got to see my wife’s 9-month journey of being pregnant with my first daughter and also see her grow, which I am truly blessed.” For a busy man like Rizman, he admits that he divides his day into routines. For that reason, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar IW503605 is a perfect fit for him.
With its 46mm stainless steel case and blue dial, it continues the long-standing tradition of Big Pilot’s perpetual calendar watches. Featuring a stunning layout, it keeps the wearer’s pulse firmly on time and tasks at hand.
“The Power Of Perseverance” – Khoon Hooi
Certainly, one of the most recognisable names in Malaysian fashion, Khoon Hooi has been at the forefront of the industry since the late 90s. After launching his own label in 1999, he took the fashion scene by storm. But like most, the pandemic also proved to be a huge challenge for him.
“COVID-19 proved to be a challenging time for the fashion industry and especially for our brand, which focuses on occasion wear,” he says. “There were no events, no weddings, and on top of that, we were also running production by ourselves, which came to an abrupt halt with the rapid rise of the pandemic.”
Despite the challenges at hand, Khoon Hooi faced them head on. Utilising both his creativity and business acumen, he shifted gears and evolved his brand from just occasion wear design to introducing lifestyle creations that can be worn everyday such as loungewear, masks, and matching kaftans for children.
“I felt the lockdown was when time seemed to have slowed down, giving me the time to think of my future,” he says. “It shifted my perspective as a fashion designer, which meant creating our collections season-by-season. I am also proud of how my whole team stepped up and worked together like a family to go through these hard times.”
Time is a luxury for this talented designer, and he admits it is precious due to his packed schedule. As such a timepiece is a necessary part of his ensemble. For this reason, he finds the qualities of the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 IW329301 very appealing. Functional and stylish, it exudes the qualities of a true aviator’s watch. Equipped with a self-winding automatic movement, the 43-millimetre stainless steel timepiece affords a strong presence on the wrist.
Discovering Hope Through a Creative Lens
Through these unique stories shared by Malaysia’s leading fashion designers, Swiss Watch and IWC Schaffhausen have offered a glimpse into the challenges faced by this diverse group of individuals. It highlights the creativity, tenacity and resilience that have been forged during times of adversity. Yet it also demonstrates that despite the disruption, this challenging period has also presented an opportunity for many to adapt, re-evaluate, and take stock of their lives.
This collaboration between Swiss Watch and IWC Schaffhausen with Jovian Mandagie, Rizman Nordin and Khoon Hooi highlights the trials, tribulations and perseverance faced by many during the global crisis. This intimate journey of hope and inspiration told through the lens of these talented designers is intended to serve as an important source of encouragement during these truly unprecedented times.
Swiss Watch is proud to be an authorised retailer for IWC Schaffhausen. Visit the IWC boutique at Pavilion KL or selected Swiss Watch boutiques to discover more exquisite timepieces.
