October 1, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – Like so many other Asians urged towards more conventional careers, Jimmy Wong bypassed fashion school – yet his love for style never left him.
His creative journey began with studying interior design.
“I actually grew up in Sydney. It was there that I first opened my boutique 26 years ago,” he reveals.
“I only made the journey to Malaysia in 2003, feeling it was time to reconnect with my roots – after all, I am Malaysian. Both my parents are Malaysians.”
Wong, 44, who was born in Jakarta, notes that the local scene here has changed significantly.
While people once showed little interest in fashion, today a far more diverse market has emerged.
He has lived in Malaysia for over two decades now.
During this time, his career grew from a home-based venture into one that now commands the runway.
“I didn’t continue my fashion business here immediately. I took on bespoke orders first. I also did styling work at the beginning,” Wong reminisces about his cross-continental move.
He has taken to the stage before, appearing on reality show So You Think You Can Dance Malaysia in 2017.
Wong last presented at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week in July.
His collection was part of a showcase by eight Malaysian designers, celebrating craftsmanship with a modern twist.
“I saw it as a challenge. Designing with songket was so much different from what I would normally do,” says Wong on the experience.
“I knew I didn’t want to create traditional wear. Instead, I chose to use a heritage textile to express my own aesthetic.”
How would you describe your ready-to-wear label, Double U?
I started out designing just for women, but with this label I wanted to include menswear too.
Back when I was living in Sydney, I’d often get compliments on how I dressed, and that really pushed me to explore men’s fashion.
I’d describe my aesthetic as urban chic. It’s about striking a balance – a formal piece won’t feel too stiff, and something sporty won’t lean too casual.
It’s that yin-and-yang effect in fashion, where opposites come together in harmony.
Read more: Masyadi Mansoor’s designs blend avant-garde fashion with cultural storytelling
What would you say has shaped your vision?
Having lived in several countries, I’ve met people from all kinds of backgrounds, and that has really shaped both my personality and my design perspective.
I’m not only a designer but also a stylist, so I think about how clothes work in real life.
For me, fashion should be practical yet expressive. Clothes are meant to be lived in, not just looked at.
Individually, my designs might seem simple – a shirt is just a shirt, for example. But when you put them together, that’s when the uniqueness really comes through.
What was the starting point of your fashion journey?
I graduated with a degree in interior design, and even before finishing, I entered numerous competitions to show my parents that you could build a career in the creative field.
I won a few awards along the way, but they still weren’t entirely convinced.
After that, I began making fashion accessories with a close friend, selling them at arts and crafts markets where the response was really encouraging.
From there, I took a leap. I bought a flight ticket to Hong Kong, sourced fabrics, came back to Sydney, and created my first fashion collection.
That was also when I opened my boutique.
Can you share your observations on how Malaysians approach fashion?
When I first moved to Malaysia, I felt like I stood out.
Today, of course, a hat like that is widely accepted.
It reflects how Malaysians have become more open-minded about fashion, experimenting with accessories and embracing a bolder, more daring sense of style.
Read more: Malaysian designer Shaleen Cheah on crafting elegant, expressive fashion
Talk us through your first runway show in Malaysia.
I first presented at Malaysia Fashion Week in 2015, the same year I launched Double U.
I wanted something that truly represented me, so my entire collection was done in white.
That choice quickly defined my reputation. I became known as the “white guy”.
If celebrities needed a red-carpet look or a music video outfit in white, they’d come to me.
For me, choosing all white was symbolic: it represented a fresh start. White, to me, is the colour of purity.
From the moment I rebooted my life and career in Malaysia until now, my vision has stayed consistent.
Of course, a designer always remembers every collection they’ve created.
Last year, when I celebrated 25 years in fashion, starting from my early days in Sydney, I brought pieces back from my archive to showcase on the runway.
How do you see your design journey unfolding in the near future, and what would you like to achieve next?
I’ll continue being myself and putting my designs out into the world.
Reaching the 25-year milestone last year was a huge moment for me, and I feel truly blessed to have the support of people who believe in me, my label and my work.
My hope now is to keep growing the business and to help bring Malaysia’s name onto the global stage.