LONDON: Public relations practitioner and trend icon, Selina Yeop Jr, launched her collection of Theselina handbags in London, with ‘fashionably functional’ handbags that made their appearance almost a year from when the idea was first sown into her head.
Not one to let grass grow under her feet and made easier by her love for handbags, Selina pulled out all the stops, delved into her heritage and put together her skills to make the idea a reality.
"This is the biggest day of my life. I am grateful that I am here today, where this idea originally germinated and I am back here to see its fruition", she said.
The launch of the fruits of her labour was held at the Embassy Gardens by Dato’ Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, the Malaysian High Commissioner to UK & Northern Ireland, and attended by friends who flew in from Malaysia, France and the USA and socialites, who are likely to sling the creation over their shoulders.
“I only use the best leathers, very soft, very fine and the stitching is excellent. The quality speaks for itself. From a mile away you know that it was made with a lot of love and a lot of passion,” Selina gushed over her 10 designs from three different collections – The Twilight collection, The Work Hard, Play Harder collection and The Travel collection.
According to her press release, the designs incorporate functionality but not compromising on the luxurious feel in texture and attention to quality in every aspect from selection of colours, purpose, to the final stitching of its distinguishable insignia.
“Like every modern woman nowadays, I often move from meetings to evening functions. Theselina is that versatile that you can transition from day to night easily, having one less thing to worry about”, added Selina.
The designs were inspired by the delicate and intricate artisanal skills of the Malaysian embroidery heritage, the ‘tekad’ with Selina’s unmistakable signature.
The ‘serial entrepreneur and IT girl’ as she is known to her friends, paid tribute to Datin Catherine Lai, whom she said sowed the seeds of the venture into her head, over tea in London.
“I see something special in her. She is very energetic and smart. When she told me she wanted to start a handbag brand, I suggested that she launch it in London. I am so proud of her and wish her all the success,” said Lai.
Also present to add more sparkle to the event was Malaysia’s no 1 R&B singer Ning Baizura, who is also her business partner for the fashion label Romyda KL, who delighted the guests with her songs.
“This is one woman who doesn’t know when to to stop, meaning she knows she can be successful, inspiring and she wants to make Malaysia proud. She wants to be a part of that history, creating fashion and business,” said Ning, hoping that they will also launch their clothes collection in London soon.
Selina’s collection is now available through its Malaysian-owned and London based partnerwww.modestrove.com.
“At the moment the bags are exclusively distributed by Modestrove. They have got the right e-commerce platform to promote and market my range of handbags. I am very happy to be in partnerhip with them,” said Selina of the partnership which was recommended by Matrade trade commissioner, Khairul Nizam Moonier.