WHEN it comes to having power in business especially in entertainment and fashion, two people in love are better than one.
Power couples such as Beyoncѐ and Jay-Z, David and Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have shown the world how to look impeccably stunning while demonstrating business acumen as a couple.
While it is common for most women to help their better half in the wardrobe department, Beyoncѐ, Victoria and Kim can just concentrate on choosing the best dress, shoes and hairdo, and let their men mix and match, and amp up their style because they have equally strong sartorial sense.
With love in the air just after Valentine’s Day, Life&Times highlights powerful Malaysian couples who are not only blessed with marital happiness but are also powerful in business.
• SCHA AL-YAHYA & AWAL ASHAARI
(Instagram: @schaalyahya and @awalashaari)
Total followers combined: 6.5 million
Regular faces at Kuala Lumpur fashion events, Scha Al-Yahya and Awal Ashaari, also known as the Schawal duo, are experts in coordinating their styles and have never failed to score high marks on the red carpet
Actress, model and television host Scha, whose real name is Sharifah Nor Azean Syed Mahadzir Al-Yahya, won the teen beauty pageant Dewi Remaja in 2006 and became a household name for her breakthrough role in highly-rated television series Awan Dania.
Scha met actor, model and television host Awal (whose real name is Ahmad Awaluddin Ashaari) in 2008 when they co-hosted reality series Sehati Berdansa. They tied the knot after Awal proposed to Scha live on television through Propaganza which Scha guest-hosted.
In 2015, online fashion retailer FashionValet collaborated with Scha and rolled out Scha Al-Yahya for FashionValet, a collection comprising 11 designs that reflected the style icon’s fun take on fashion.
The couple founded GardeRobe, a multi-brand concept store at Empire Damansara, retailing clothing and accessories for men, women and children.
They also have their own perfume SchaXAwal Perfumes, which were launched recently. This celebrity couple’s daughter, Lara Alana, is fast following their glamorous footsteps.
Nicknamed Rara, Scha’s mini-me is an Instagram sensation with 2.5 million followers. Barely 3, Lara has her own OOTD hashtag, stars in her own reality series and has started her own cologne line. Lara and her parents are also brand ambassadors for Japanese beverage, Yakult.
• VIVY YUSOF & FADZA ANUAR
(Instagram: @vivyyusof and @fadzaanuar)
Total followers combined: 994,000
If you follow the local fashion scene, you will know about the crazy cult status of dUCk Scarves, which are sold out minutes after their launch.
No stranger to the Asian fashion circuit, Vivy Sofinas Yusof and Fadzarudin Shah Anuar are the brains behind fashion empire, FashionValet and its signature tudung brand.
Fadza’s sharp business acumen and Vivy’s classy taste and strong social media influence are just like two perfectly-fitted jigsaw pieces, making this enterprising and stylish couple a powerful pair.
From a blogger known for her witty musings and impressive photography, Vivy now has her own reality TV series. Some 884,000 (and counting) followers look up to her OOTD for style inspirations or take a peek at what’s new in her collection of luxury handbags.
This petite Lady Boss has collaborated with local and international fashion brands, thanks to her impeccable dress sense. Last year, she was awarded the Young Entrepreneur Award at the Malaysia’s Tribute To Women Award Gala.
• JOVIAN MANDAGIE & NINA ISMAIL SABRI
(Instagram: @jmandagie and @ninaismailsabri)
Total followers combined: 678,000
The friendship between renowned fashion designer Jovian Mandagie and Nina Ismail Sabri, founder of Peterana Kindergarten and Capello salon, blossomed into love from their conversation during a flight to Jakarta.
These prolific entrepreneurs got married in 2013. Their traditional Malay and Javanese-themed receptions as well as Nina’s mesmerising bridal gown designed by Jovian were the talk of town.
In an article in Glam magazine last year, Nina, who is the only daughter of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said that she prefers simplicity when it comes to fashion despite her husband being a popular designer. Her guilty pleasure? Handbags! This petite woman also dreams to collect the Great Gatsby Collection by Tiffany & Co.
• KIM RAYMOND & KEITH FOO
(Instagram: @kimchiraymond and @keithfoo)
Total followers combined: 672,000
Named The Superstylish Duo by Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia, fashion stylist Kim Raymond and actor/model Keith Foo are known for their edgy and sporty take on fashion.
A nominee for Women of Style in 2016 Elle Style Award and stylist to her husband, Kim (who named Karl Lagerfeld as her go-to designer) is synonymous with casual chic look (and yes, her collection of Chanel espadrilles), while Keith (who adores Joe Chia’s work) pulls it off well in plain T-shirt, sweatpants, sneakers and snapback worn backwards.
They got married in 2015 where Kim wore a stunning Alia Bastamam gown and Keith looked charming in a suit by Andy Sulaiman.
Besides sharing fashion takes and workout snapshots, their romantic side will melt hearts. On a picture of Kim on their wedding day, Keith penned the lyrics of Kau Ilhamku (a song by Man Bai) in full.
• CARL SAMSUDIN & BELLE AL-YAHYA
(Instagram: @carlsamsudin and @bellealyahya)
Total followers combined: 494,900
Fashion brand Bella Ammara is popular among tudung-wearing Muslim ladies for its wide varieties of trendy but Shariah-compliant garments.
The brand, which is also famous for setting the trend for colourful telekung, was founded by former chemist Muhammad Khalif Samsudin or Carl Samsudin and his beautiful wife, Sharifah Nabilla Al-Yahya (known in the local fashion world as Belle Al-Yahya).
From selling nine pieces of telekung to fund their wedding to weathering the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, Carl and Belle have various businesses under their belt, namely Bella Ammara, Sugarbelle Cosmetic and Naarabelle Facespa.
Carl is speaker and co-founder of Business Venture Talk, an event designed to connect local entrepreneurs and steer them to a higher level in business.
The adorable couple is a natural when it comes to dressing to impress in a modest way, with Belle a source of style inspiration.
• SAZZY FALAK & NAZRIL IDRUS
(Instagram: @sazzyfalak and @nash_idrus)
Total followers combined: 457,300
Sazzy Falak is famous for her eccentric style and is a woman who wears many hats. Voted as one of FHM’s sexiest women in the world (2005-2006), Sazzy is an actress, television host, certified fitness instructor and has an online fashion boutique, Street Fashion by Sazzy Falak.
Her other half, Nazril “Nash” Idrus, is an actor, financial coach, television host and entrepreneur.
Sazzy and Nazril, who have twin daughters (Imaan Lily and Tiara Rose), have acted together in the television series Ada Apa Dengan Cinta and finished as runners-up in popular reality dancing competition Sehati Berdansa.
This celebrity pair was picked by EH! magazine readers as the Favourite Celebrity Couple in 2010.