Sultan KL, Serve All Mankind, and Cheesedenim Works made their debut at Isten Suria KLCC a month ago. While their small shared retail space at the site seemed like a small achievement, to these menswear labels, it is just the right step to their big dreams of becoming the next top labels in the fashion industry.
Small and independent fashion entrepreneurs, getting space in a retail atmosphere like the one at the international departmental store like Isetan is not an easy task. Bur to Konsvltan, nothing is impossible for the homeboys.
Konsvltan Sdn Bhd is a group of members who provide a platform for local menswear brands to expand. The members of the team include Sauffi Roslan, Ammar Abdillah, Hafidz Fazly Zaharin, Zahlan Zain, Shabir Ahshrup, Hasnizam Mohamad, Hasri Abd Rani, and Rashdan Rosly. They all fall between the ages of 26 and 44.
“We’re the people behind the scene. We’re the outsiders looking in. We observe the community, the fashion movement and as a result of our observations, we try to push local ideas to the global audience,” says Konsvltan founder and chief executive officer Rashdan Rosly.
Konsvltan is a continuation of Sultan KL which is the brand Rosly created in 2011. Konsvltan got its chance because of the lack of originality amongst the local independent fashion brands.”
“It all started with a vision that I had 10 years ago of a conglomerate among close friends who share the same interests and a dream to produce practical, long-lasting men’s clothing.
“Isetan is like the go-to mall during our younger days. So, from buying goods there to placing our own brands, it is a dream come true.”
“In terms of brands, it’s hard to find one that stands out nowadays. The scene is saturated with half-baked brands copying other brands, or those which launch so-called limited editions or streetwear collections, without a thorough understanding of streetwear culture.”
“And that’s why we came into the picture. We want to curate quality brands that offer something unique or can inculcate a culture in which the people are confident to be different.”
Besides being a stand out brands, the brands selected by Konsvltan all share the value in cultures and garment-making.
Kuala Lumpur-based denim maker Cheesedenim Works has paved its way into the industry for 10 years and is well known for its finely crafted denim. Sultan KL is known for melting the gap between traditional and modern wear by introducing various Malaysian or Malay Archipelago influences like the batik or single stitching of benang emas. Serve All Mankind makes vintage-inspired clothes while also using the same workmanship by using vintage machines.
“Serve All Mankind is our in-house brand that gives a modern touch to pieces inspired by the good old days.
“We change the silhouette, fabric or styling, but we keep the way it is done intact”, says Rosly, “We don’t compromise on the quality of fabrics and materials. We source fabrics and materials from Japan, the United States, Thailand and Indonesia. We’re very selective and we choose only the ones choose that can be turned into garments that can last longer or can be passed down to the next generation. And we make sure all the brands that we curate speak the same language when it comes to standards.”
Konsvltan is expected to be adding even more local brands to add to the departmental store landscape.
“We’re launching another in-house brand, Gedio (active wear) soon. We’re also helping SangatStyle (a big player in the independent fashion scene) in rebranding and raising its standard to prop it to a greater height,” says Rosly.
