SYAFIQ KYLE has been riding high, winning a string of titles at the Anugerah Drama Festival Kuala Lumpur 2019 (DFKL Awards 2019) and last weekend’s Anugerah MeleTop Era 2019 (AME 2019).
Hugely popular for playing the compassionate Ustaz Adam in the award-winning drama series Nur, he recently bagged Choice Actor at the DFKL Awards 2019, and even shared the Choice Couple trophy with his Nur co-star Amyra Rosli, and three awards — Fesyen MeleTop, Bintang MeleTop and Pelakon TV MeleTop — for his portrayal of the religious teacher at AME 2019.
The boy-next-door says that if he did not become an actor, he might have become a fashion designer.
“I’m a fan of baju Melayu. During my schooldays, I liked to sketch fashion ideas in my notebook, hoping to create them someday,” he said at a show to promote his fashion label Kylez.
The show at Black Box, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, in Kuala Lumpur was to launch Kylez’ Hari Raya Aidilfitri collection, Jiwa.
Jiwa features six baju Melayu designs and two baju kurung designs, inspired by Syafiq’s and his mother Rohaya Sulaiman’s favourite Raya wear.
SECONDARY TALENT
“I founded Kylez in March last year, and it was my mother who encouraged me to do so.
“As a child, I loved to share my sketches with her, and I believe she felt that I’d become a fashion designer one day,” said Syafiq, 27, whose real name is Syafiq Shamim Abdul Razak.
However, the performing arts proved more attractive, and after graduating from Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam, with a diploma in film and theatre five years ago, Syafiq chose acting as his career.
“But I am not one to abandon fashion design. Now that I’ve been acting for eight years, I’ve decided to embrace it as a secondary talent,” said Syafiq, who admires fashion designers Jovian Mandagie and Rizman Ruzaini, among others.
“Many of my friends thought I would pick singing but I don’t think I’m a singer. I’m more at home with fashion, so that’s why I founded Kylez.”
Syafiq said that Kylez has two to three fashion designers who are his friends, and he regularly discusses design ideas with them.
“Most of the time, I leave the designing to them but if something inspires me, be it from travelling, food, film or even a pleasant dream, I’ll share it with them.”
Kylez, he said, is strictly about traditional Malay fashion.
“I’m a stickler for heritage. There are many designers who come up with trendy modern wear but not many focus on baju Melayu and baju kurung.”
Besides thinking of design ideas, Syafiq helps his brand grow by producing short films to promote it.
“I’ve just planned a three-minute production for Kylez. It’s a simple story about family and friends getting ready for Raya.
“There are 20 actors in it, mostly my good friends from my football club Challo. I’m one of the main characters. Three actresses – Nabila Huda, Anna Jobling and Sheila Mambo — are also on board,” said Syafiq.
“It is my first attempt at producing a short film. It’ll be good training for me to make longer ones later.”
SOMETHING EXTRA
Syafiq’s fashion designs are available on Zalora, in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. He hopes to penetrate the Indonesian market in the near future.
“I always believe actors should give ‘added value’ to fans. Some have their own restaurants, some have their own health food. For me, I’ve always wanted my own fashion label.
“I have to give my fans something extra as it will help me get a bigger following. As they say, you have to be good at marketing yourself. For me, it’s Brand Syafiq.”
Asked about his upcoming projects, Syafiq said he is “beefing up” with physical training at the gym for two action-packed films.
“They’ll be shot back-to-back next month. One may reach cinemas at the end of the year while the other is slated for next year.
“It’s going to be my first outing as an action hero. Other than having to get physical, I can’t reveal much for now.”
Syafiq first found fame by winning Hero Remaja in 2012. He subsequently appeared in telemovies and TV series as Tanah Kubur, Married Tapi Benci and Bila Hati Berbicara.
Last year, he appeared in his first film, the romantic horror story Langsuir, alongside Singaporean actress Hannah Delisha.
Challo FC was formed by Syafiq two years ago and its members include actors Aedy Ashraf and Hafeez Mikael of Ola Bola The Musical.