Rizman Nordin (left) and Ruzaini Jamil of the fashion label Rizman Ruzaini set their sights on going international. photos: FAKHRI RAZZI
At a media event held in December 2022, the duo behind the fashion label Rizman Ruzaini reminisced about their early days as burgeoning young designers. At the time, perhaps, Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Jamil may not even have described themselves as designers but while interning at a local publishing house, they managed to get access to some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names. Taking a chance, they recalled texting Ziana Zain and offering to dress the doyenne of the entertainment industry. They were taken aback when she willingly agreed.
Today, however, there is no surprise to see the label grace the forms of the city’s most fashionable, as witnessed by the latest fashion showcase which took place in March at the St. Regis. The label has become synonymous with the leading names of entertainment.
It was 17 years ago that the friends who were classmates at UiTM pursuing their degrees in fashion design envisioned forming a partnership in fashion. Even back then, the duo had the tendency to think big as they took the cue from Dolce & Gabbana – no less.
“We have always been super tight since we were both in university,” says Rizman. “We helped each other through some very tough times. It was while in Uni that we also decided to do a label together as during that time the concept of a ‘duo designer’ was not very popular in Malaysia. The rest as they say is history.”
While they may share the same ambition, their approach to the creative process differs. Rizman is trends-focused, combining sophisticated glamour and minimalism in garment-making. His belief is that an outfit does not have to be complicated to be high fashion. On the opposite end is Ruzaini who is all about master tailoring, focusing on sharp cut suits, edged out silhouettes and “modern utilitarian creativity that is both masculine and feminine”.
That contrast can also be seen in what prompted them into entering the fashion business. Rizman was inspired by his mum and the way she would adorn herself, dictating designs to her tailor. Ruzaini, however, used fashion to express his artistic side, drawing inspiration from the cinematic colours of Bollywood.
It may seem that they are at odds when it comes to their respective design philosophies. But instead, they find it more complementary as they tend to challenge each other whether in design or management.
Inspired by the recent triumph of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, Rizman Nordin (right) and Ruzaini Jamil (left) are spurred to work harder and aim higher.
“In more ways than one, we do know what works in our partnership,” says Ruzaini. “Drawing a line on where our friendship starts and ends is also a key aspect of how we move forward as a unit. We are also blessed that apart from us complementing each other, our wives also gel well and that goes hand-in-hand in helping us build this brand together.”
Sharing a singular vision also means that the brand has evolved significantly since it was first launched nearly two decades ago.
“It’s a 180 degree change from where we were as fashion designers,” explains Rizman. “We used to be at the boutique waiting for customer appointments, making their garments and once it’s done, it’s finished.”
Now, the company has grown to have a proper structure with its own flow chart, from COO to procurement to graphics to artisanal to producing merchandise and printing their own fabrics.
“It’s a big leap in such a small amount of time,” says Rizman. “We are still studying and learning the basic ways of business and we’re happy to have the support of esteemed publications, media, editors and the fashion industry in shaping this brand.”
The brand’s success was evident in the brand’s Raya showcase which saw two different collections being presented. First was the RR Raya Collection and RR Luxe Raya Collection. RR is the RTW label that is currently under the creative direction of former editor Yana Baharuddin who came up with an extensive collection of affordable fashion pieces.
The second part of the show is the Rizman Ruzaini Red Raya 2023 that is more luxe. This collection personifies the glamour and intricate detailing that is associated with Rizman Ruzaini. At the event, the brand also showcased the Rizman Ruzaini Couture Fall Winter collection, inspired by the beautiful sunsets of Kuala Lumpur.
Their achievements, thus far, has readied them for the next phase of the brand’s evolution, which is to take it international.
“We are breaking into the middle east market with our Rizman Ruzaini Couture pieces,’’ says Ruzaini. “We have customers from there who have been pushing us to go into their market hence that is our goal.”
Mexico, France and India are also some of the markets they hope to venture into. Fashion, after all, is a global business, which means that you don’t have to focus on just Europe and America. The recent triumph of Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh has also ignited the fire in them to “work harder and aim higher”.
It was during the pandemic that the seed of ambition was first sowed, and it was during this period that they saw themselves transforming from designers to businessmen.
“Two years of economic uncertainty really shook us to the core and it was a wake-up call to us,” says Ruzaini. “We wanted to challenge ourselves and actually build an empire.”
The company grew from a staff of 20 to 80. Instead of having only one boutique, Rizman Ruzaini is now available at three different boutiques and stores located in the centre of the city.
“We do sometimes pinch ourselves to see how we got here,” says Rizman. “We are blessed and we do work hard day and night to be here.”
They hope that their approach to business can be used as a template, moving forward.
“We hope to guide and be a reference for future fashion designers and businessmen, and that someday these younger designers can build bigger names and empires as compared to Rizman Ruzaini,” says Ruzaini.
