Dato’ Sri Dr. Farah Khan

Dato' Sri Dr. Farah Khan, creative director
Singaporean 1955–

Yee Wei Gan (Willies), designer
Malaysian 1985–

Level 2
NGV International

Farah Khan & Yee Wei Gan (Willies)

PROJECT

In a striking dialogue with the NGV’s collection of historical European paintings, Malaysian fashion label Farah Khan reimagines eight iconic vistas and portraits through artisanal beaded embellishment. The resulting collection is a feat of technical mastery: each work is a wearable canvas, evoking the grandeur and narrative richness of the paintings while offering a contemporary interpretation. Requiring anywhere from four to six months of handwork, each piece employs bespoke techniques such as beaded embroidery, crystal application and metallic threadwork.

This project highlight the label’s intricate beadwork and embroidery and its engagement with artistic tradition,
inviting viewers to experience the intersection of fashion, history and the visual arts in a dynamic, immersive setting.

The acquisition of this artist’s work is supported by Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family, Thomas Bridge & Jake Monaghan, and Woods5 Foundation

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ABOUT

Dato’ Sri Dr. Farah Khan is the creative director of her eponymous fashion label, and the founder and president of Malaysian luxury retailer Melium Group. Having worked in fashion since the 1970s, Khan launched her own label in 2007 that has since become renowned for its highly embellished garments.

While Khan conceives the conceptual vision for collections, to materialise the designs she has worked in close collaboration with the label’s designer Willies Gan for twenty years. A graduate from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Gan’s refined design sensibility and meticulous understanding of construction and composition has contributed to Farah Khan Couture’s reputation for polished elegance. Gan’s role bridges design development and execution, overseeing a range of artisanal embroidery workshops across South-East Asia and ensuring cohesion across silhouette, textiles and embellishment.

Since 2007, the label has presented collections internationally, retailing in forty-seven cities, including Paris, Jakarta, Marrakech and Los Angeles. High-profile clients include Paris Hilton, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid.