SONNY San, the founder and creative force behind the successful local label Eclipse, whose signature sexy and fluid silhouette in jersey has made his brand a favourite for women of all ages and lifestyles, has finally won the Mifa Designer of the Year 2008.

The award is worth RM20,000 in cash and offers a chance to participate in the upcoming Russian Fashion Week.

Sonny triumphed over the talented pool of designers of the KL Six, including past winners such as Melinda Looi, Eric Choong and Datuk Tom Abang Saufi.

“It was a huge surprise as I honestly did not see it coming my way this year,” confessed an elated Sonny.

“I have not won a major accolade from the fashion industry since my early days in the industry back in the 1980s! I feel honoured and delighted with this award tonight and it always feels nice to be recognised for my efforts in the Malaysian fashion industry,” he added.
In spite of his modest remarks, Sonny is a highly respected designer in the fashion industry and is one “ready-to-wear” designer who has a genuine appreciation and understanding of the female form.

Through sensual drapes cut from carefully chosen fabrics, his clothes give women confidence and “emphasise their femininity and inspire their individual beauty”.

The most fascinating aspect of this triumph for Sonny was that the inspiration for his Spring/Summer 2009 collection came from his vacation in Russia.

It was the 1910 painting of the Dance by Henri Matisse in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. It conveyed a feeling of emotional liberation and happiness for Sonny instantly and inspired him to create pieces that are mood lifters in the current bleak economic mood.

Little did he know that this liberating work of art that inspired him so much would attribute to his triumphant win and happily lead him back to Russia to showcase his collection at the country's Fashion Week next year.

Renowned stylist Alex Eu, a member of the M-IFW ’08 Style Council panel of judges, said: "I'm thrilled Sonny won the award. It was a unanimous decision. His ready-to-wear designs are affordable. And so are his shoes, handbags and accessories!"

Sharing similar praise for Sonny is M-IFW ’08 Style Council chief judge Datuk Farah Khan.

Farah said: "Sonny's clothes are not overly complicated. He understands the business of fashion and his designs have an international feel and yet, are accessible to all women."

Kudos to Mifa and the M-IFW Style Council for picking a truly deserving winner this year.