The Kuala Lumpur Designer Who Hides His Best Work Inside the Seams
When you buy a piece from Aaron Wei Hao Yong, you deal with the man who cut it — a closeness that has shaped the Kuala Lumpur label as much as its hidden seams and precise tailoring.
Aaron Wei Hao Yong works from his studio in Bukit Bintang, surrounded by piles of fabric samples and racks of ready-to-wear and bespoke pieces awaiting client fittings. The no-frills space, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, reflects Weihaoyong’s functional approach to fashion design.
One of his latest collections, Stepfords, takes its cue from Frank Oz’s 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives, and features oversized, fluid shirts and draped, ruffled dresses. Look closely and hidden details emerge: a concealed pocket within a seam, a carefully placed pleat.
‘It’s all functional,’ says Yong. ‘Basically, there are a lot of hidden details that you don’t see. I try to let the construction lead my way in designing, to let form follow function.’
Raised in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and now based in Kuala Lumpur, Yong grew up surrounded by nature. He credits the natural world, mid-century modern architecture and Bauhaus design principles as key influences that shaped the label’s design philosophy.
‘I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of constructing solid structures such as buildings with fluid things, like a stream of water,’ he says. That balance between softness and structure runs throughout his work. In the Rivulet collection, both menswear and womenswear pieces are defined by clean lines and a mix of upcycled textiles, reflecting Yong’s interest in structure and fluidity.
‘Usually I experiment with a fabric by changing its structure,’ Yong says. ‘Lambskin can be quite thin, so I like to back it with foam to enhance the shape. Or something more fluid, like chiffon or silk — when you combine them, you can play with the weight of the fabric.’
Yong studied fashion at the École Supérieure des Arts et Metiers de la Mode on a scholarship programme. After graduating in 2015, he returned to Malaysia and launched Weihaoyong in 2017.
The label, he says, initially grew through word of mouth among a close-knit group of clients. While many emerging designers turn to social media for marketing, Yong credits the brand’s unique appeal to the closeness of that community. ‘When you buy from me, you get to deal with me in person,’ he says with a smile.
For someone who considers himself a tailor-designer, working closely with his customers is one of the most rewarding parts of the craft. Clients come to him for both everyday ready-to-wear pieces and custom gowns for special events.
‘My style is based on construction; it’s more malleable based on the customer’s taste,’ he says. ‘Most of the time, the customer comes with a reference and maybe it’s not what I’m accustomed to, but I can adapt to it.’
The Weihaoyong wardrobe is built around comfort and ease, crafted with the clear intention of wearability. ‘I don’t want the wearer to try too hard to match things,’ he says. ‘My concept has always been about having versatility within the wardrobe — you can pair anything seasonally, and it can still effortlessly go together.’
In many ways, Yong’s designs honour the human form, but it is his commitment to craft that defines them. Each piece reflects a thoughtful, hands-on approach to fashion, one rooted as much in technique and wearability as in aesthetics.
Text by Noor Amylia Hilda
Images courtesy of Weihaoyong
