As the designer behind his namesake brand Kai Hung, his bags are bold, bright coloured and crafted using a unique combination of materials, making them stand out in a market that often favours more neutral tones. His route to fame to the pinnacle of primetime TV began when Chew was approached by a local event organiser.
While custom orders were not typical for him, Chew decided to take on this unique request as a personal challenge. Initially, Chew thought the bag would be for the organiser, but it was later revealed the recipient would be someone working in the government, though the identity was kept confidential at the time.
“When I watched the video and saw who was holding the bag, I was absolutely stunned and speechless.”
“This achievement means a lot to me personally and professionally. It is the biggest milestone in my career so far, especially as a small designer. It has helped me gain more recognition and has been a significant stepping stone in growing my brand,” Chew said.
From a young age, Chew has had a deep interest in art and sewing became a natural extension of that passion. With the help of his parents, Chew honed his skills from the tender age of 10.
This initial exposure sparked a lifelong hobby, which later blossomed into a career. A year later, when he turned 11, Chew’s parents bought him a second-hand sewing machine.
By the time he was in Form 1, he had set his sights on becoming a fashion designer, and by the time he completed his studies in fashion design at Equator College in Penang, Chew had set his sights on a career in fashion. However, the arrival of the movement control order (MCO) changed the course of his journey.
With newfound free time, Chew revisited his interest in bag designing as a potential source of income. He started posting his designs on multiple social platforms, and in 2021, one of his TikTok videos went viral.
Design philosophy
“My designs are often inspired by the fabric itself and I choose the bag style that best complements it. My customers respond well to my designs.”
Among his design collection is a bag inspired by the sunrise, seashell-shaped bag and a bucket bag shaped like a flower, all of which showcase his ability to transform the natural world into wearable art.
“The main material I work with is PU leather or faux leather, primarily because of the wide variety of colours available.”
“One of the biggest challenges I face is time management and competing with mass-produced designs that dominate the market,” he said.
“I focus on creating unique bags that stand out, especially with my bold colour choices, which are rare in the industry.”
“I make sure all my bags have interior pockets, providing space for essentials,” he explained.
Although he has not yet collaborated with traditional artisans, he is open to exploring these opportunities in the future. Chew also plans to continue building on his success and expanding his reach in the fashion industry.
Even with a feather in his hat, Chew remains humble and driven.
“As I am still early in my career, I still have so many ideas that I have yet to explore. I prefer to create based on my own ideas rather than paying attention to fleeting fashion trends.”
Kai Hung’s bags are priced between RM200 and RM400.
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