Trendsetter

A trailblazer for gender fluidity here in Malaysia, Nazreem is extraordinary to look at—both online and in real life with his compelling presence. Skillfully blurring the lines between the feminine and masculine, the stylish entrepreneur developed a keen sense of fashion at a young age, influenced by his impeccably elegant mother and his equally stylish older sister. His ability to seamlessly transform into different personas showcases an outgoing, bold, and daring approach to fashion.

In Nazreem's own words, "I don't have to tell the world who I am. I get to do that through my clothing and expression of fashion. That's the beauty of it." As one of the rare, fearless figures in gender-bending style in Kuala Lumpur, he aspires to serve as a pillar of reference for young individuals seeking their own unique identity

of the year

NAZREEM
MUSA

Nazreem wears (main): Pinstripe suit, Moschino. Accessories, Talent's own. Shoes, Clarks
Nazreem wears (inset): Black blazer, Versace. Shirt, Zalora. Tie, Stylist's own

Beauty Creator

A creative in the purest sense of the word, Vivien Loh has one mission with her craft: to play to her heart's content. Scrolling through her Instagram profile, you'll find that there is no specific theme or aesthetic—as she puts it, she does whatever she feels like doing in the moment. Makeup and content creation are her outlets for creativity; they are an escape to express herself freely, with no limitations.

"I'm usually more logical than creative," Loh reflects. "I'll always find rationales for doing the things I do in my life, but not when it comes to makeup." Content is just a means to an end for her—a way to put her craft out there and help her hone in on her passion for creating art. It's what sets her apart in the beauty space. She's not here to chase likes or followers—she's here to feed her soul, and she's going to do it her way.

of the year

VIVIEN
LOH

Vivien wears (main): Top and bottom, Maje. Shoes, Talent's own
Vivien wears (inset): Top, vest, tie and skirt, all Zalora

Artist

Day-dreamer. Wordsmith. A pop star in the making. If there's one artist who relishes in the creative process, it's Claudia. Whether she's expressing her thoughts through her relatable lyrics or penning her next bookish hit, it's in her DNA to create. At only 25 years old, the Kuching-born artist has several impressive accolades under her name, including a Hollywood film adaptation of her best-selling book, Perfect Addiction, which has been read 85 million times; and viral tunes with over a million streams that have reached the likes of BTS' Jungkook.

But she is also bent on setting a new standard in the local music industry. In her own words, the singer wishes to leave a legacy where artists can "pursue a music career independently." With her infectious earworms and effervescent dreams, there is no doubt Claudia is already leaving her mark on the entertainment scene, one groovy bop at a time.

of the year

CLAUDIA

Claudia wears (main): Dress, MSGM. Shoes, Clarks. Accessories, Stylist's own
Claudia wears (inset): Black blazer, shirt, skirt and tie, all Zalora

Muse

Nadhir's path to stardom is not a straight line. It took him close to a decade to realise his aspirations and become one of the brightest stars in the industry. When asked what the secret behind his success is, the 27-year-old says to "trust the process." Of course, it helps that the It-boy has a few tricks up his sleeve. 2023 has been quite the year; he has not only starred in the hit drama Project: High Council but also directed a music video, among other things.

What's more, he is set to star in a film produced by Kembara Studio, which is slated to release next year. Whether in front of or behind the camera, his intention is crystal clear: to deliver significant messages through his craft and build a long-lasting career instead of pursuing clout.

of the year

NADHIR
NASAR

Nadhir wears (main): Shirt, jacket and trousers, all MSGM. Shoes, Clarks
Nadhir wears (inset): Vest, Alyx/M Store Lab. Shirt and trousers, both Zalora. Tie, Stylist's own

Sustainability Hero

The term "zero waste" may be everywhere now, but the movement would not be where it is today—at least in the Malaysian context—if not for Zero Waste Malaysia. As the co-founder of the non-profit organisation that was established in 2016, Khor Sue Yee is responsible for planning, directing and executing programmes aligned with its eco-centric goals.

This year, Khor achieved her proudest milestone yet with the launch of the Green Wira Programme, which empowers school teachers to instil a sustainability mindset in students. By growing the zero waste resource platform and engaging like-minded communities, her vision is to educate and equip Malaysians on how to reduce waste and live more sustainably to preserve the planet and our future.

of the year

KHOR
SUE YEE

Sue Yee wears (main): Dress, All Saints. Shoes, Charles & Keith. Accessories, Stylist's own
Sue Yee wears (inset): Vest, shirt, shorts and tie, all Zalora

VOICE

The 31-year-old firmly embraces the belief that "with a great platform comes great responsibility," a principle that guides her work as a photojournalist. Armed with a degree in architecture, she approaches her craft with intention, using the camera as a tool for authentic storytelling through raw and unfiltered images. Among her many accomplishments in the past five years—including winning gold in the World Sports Photography Awards for her magical 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics shot of Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova—Annice stands out as the sole Malaysian sports photographer at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest.

Another personal triumph this year includes spearheading the Victoria's Secret T-shirt Bra campaign, where she led a female-dominated production team consisting of 25 creative women. Annice emphasises the importance of ethical practices, staying true to oneself, and cultivating a supportive community for continual learning and growth.

of the year

ANNICE
LYN

Annice wears (main): Trench coat, Loewe. Accessories, Talent's own. Shoes, Charles & Keith
Annice wears (inset): Black blazer, shirt, pants and tie, all Zalora

CHEF

There are only a handful of chefs in the country who sit at the helm of a one Michelin-starred restaurant, what more for two years in a row. Chef-patron Su Kim Hock of Au Jardin is not the least among them, setting the benchmark for the fine dining scene in his hometown of Penang. On top of his mastery of 'la cuisine naturelle', which utilises cooking techniques that showcase the natural flavours of local ingredients, he also established Un Poco Loco this year to introduce tapas-style dining to Penangites.

Beyond personal projects, Su is touted for his unwavering support of fellow comrades in the cut-throat F&B industry—thus fostering the progress of Malaysian culinary standards. Not resting on his laurels, he aims to be a restaurateur who advocates for fair pay and treatment of chefs, in hopes of drawing Malaysian talents from abroad back to the homeland and putting Penang on the global food map.

of the year

SU
KIM HOCK

Kim Hock wears (main): Shirt, H&M. Blazer, Talent's own. Shoes, Clarks
Kim Hock wears (inset): Shirt and tie, Talent's own. Blazer, Zalora

#BUROEATS

Out of the many establishments entering the ever-expanding #BUROEats list—our monthly directory of the latest F&B openings in the Klang Valley—one has irrevocably stood out in 2023. The best new restaurant opening this year is none other than Potager in Bamboo Hills, a modern French dining concept that takes pride in working with local artists, farmers and producers. Coupled with its warm service, the restaurant team's commitment to celebrating the hands that laboured makes it a strong newcomer in the Malaysian fine dining scene. One thing is for sure—we can't wait for its next chapter!

of the year

Potager