9 years ago, Alia designed a very special red carpet dress for Malaysia’s darling Scha Alyahya – along with a suit for her then-beau, Awal Ashaari. This was around the time the Alia Bastamam label was first founded and completely unknown. But even as a new and young designer at the time, Alia hit it off quickly with arguably one of Malaysia’s most famous faces.

 

Fast forward to today: “After so long and asking her every year, I finally get to work with Scha!” Alia gushes. “At first, it was always just meant to be Scha being the face of one of my campaigns. But every time I dressed her or designed something for her, she would always give feedback and share ideas. I mean, she has her own sense of style that I love!”

 

And so, it was decided late in 2019, that Scha and Alia would collaborate creatively for this Eid 2020 collection.

 

“I remember it was at Milan Fashion Week last September when we talked about finally doing something together,” Scha says over the Instagram Live Chat the two had earlier this week. “I thought I was just gonna model – and now we’re actually working together. Guess I can be a designer too after this!” They laugh, forgetting for a moment that they were on a live chat.

 

It’s Scha’s memory of her favourite Alia Bastamam designs that culminated in this new collection. Alia’s signature wrap set has been worn by Scha in its many variations since it first appeared in Alia’s Resort 2014 collection – “I remember it was burgundy with cream polka dots!” Scha chips in.

 

The wrap continues in this new collection with new variations. The polkadots become reworked in a completely customised print of teardrops with subtle scatters of the Alia Bastamam signature logo.

 

Not only a curation, this collection is also comprised of designs inspired by Scha and her innate taste in fashion. The Lara Kurung, named after her daughter, is a modern Kurung cut zhoosh-ed with unmissable statement sleeves that were taken directly out of Scha’s current style file. But most importantly, it’s the keen focus on cut and sophistication that makes it most apt to Scha Alyahya’s clean and clear-cut style.