For Gen-Zs, a generation raised on global references, their digital subcultures have style references stretched across oceans and time zones — New York SoundCloud scenes, Tokyo’s Harajuku streets, Paris’ runways — and still, somehow, land right back home to who they are, what they love, and where they’re from. In other words, the courage to be real. Because at the end of the day, only authenticity will bring out the best in you.
Pass a Coach Tabby to a friend who lives in KL and watch it morph in the hands of everyone: on a girl with bleach-blonde hair and a playlist full of underground rap, paired with a slogan tee, micro mini skirt, and boots laced to her knees for a hangout in Taman Paramount. Or pass it to the guy who has made fashion his personality and gets his looks from GRAILED, and you’ll find it photographed alongside an archived Hedi Slimane leather jacket and skinny denim. One more rotation to the “chill guy” who frequents healing cafes in Damansara, and the bag ends up slung over a jacket and cargo pants.
What connects them isn’t just the same bag they’re holding, it’s the courage to be real. Men’s Folio Malaysia takes to the streets to see how Coach’s iconic silhouette moves through different hands and different lives — which feels right at home in the heart of KL.
Pey Jen, 21, Fashion Marketing Student
Describe your style. Is there a name for it, or is it something entirely your own?
I don’t really believe in naming it. Once you do, it becomes a box. My style is fluid and instinctive, always shifting with how I feel. I take a lot from FRUiTS magazine and CFashion, remixing fairy kei, jojifuku, himekaji, and lolita styles. It’s a patchwork of everything I love, blended intuitively.
How would you make a Coach bag feel like ‘you’?
I’d go for the pink or teal Coach Tabby and load it up with chunky keychains, maybe even clip one of my oversized hair accessories onto it. I love when accessories feel like an extension of who I am.
People online are surprised you are Malaysian. What do you make of that?
I get that a lot. It shows how narrow some views still are about what Malaysian fashion can look like. Just because I draw from Japanese style doesn’t mean I’ve left my identity behind. Malaysia is multi everything — languages, ethnicities, expressions. Why shouldn’t my style reflect that?
What would you say to someone who lacks the courage to be real?
I always see comments like, “In another life, I’d dress like you.” But you don’t need another life, just a moment of braveness. People are too wrapped up in their own lives to remember your outfit tomorrow. But you will remember how you felt. If something makes you feel real, go all in. You deserve to take up space.
Art Lai, 28, Painter
Was there a moment you realised you wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been painting since I was a kid with no plan. Just passion. But last year, my work started going viral. People said it spoke to them. That’s when it clicked — it was time to make it more than a hobby; time to find the courage to be real.
When you think of KL, what colours do you see?
Teal and blue, the kind you see in rain-slicked plants or glass buildings that catch the sky. KL is hot, wet, alive. Everything here grows and reflects.
If you painted a Coach bag, what would it look like?
I’d paint it like a quiet still life: a close-up of the bag resting near some French-inspired decor, a potted plant nearby, and a woman’s hand reaching for it. It would feel elegant but casual, like an intimate moment captured mid-scene.
Has KL ever made its way into your work?
Yes, I painted a piece set in Petaling Street. That place is full of texture and happenings, always buzzing with life. Even as a local, walking through it feels like rediscovering the city for the first time.
CyiiCheng, 27, Model and Designer
What inspired you to start Ghostboy?
I just couldn’t find clothes I actually wanted to wear. KL felt like it was missing fresh, young, and independent labels doing something different. So I made what I couldn’t find.
Who’s the Ghostboy girl?
She’s always out — at a rave, rooftop, maybe a parking lot party. She’s a little chaotic, a little romantic, stylish and subversive. Our collections are inspired by our friends, our crew, and those unforgettable 3 a.m. strangers.
As a model, how do you reclaim your style off the job?
Being styled by others taught me what I like. I love it when shoots are collaborative, but my off-duty looks are the opposite of ‘model off-duty’. There are textures, silhouettes, and colour to play with. I design what I want to wear, then wear it everywhere.
How do you find the courage to be real in such a trend-driven space?
It’s about loving what you love and owning it. Whether it’s your high school hoodie, or low-rise jeans. If it feels right, wear it. If you want to chase a trend, that’s cool too. Just make sure it feels like you.
Linus Teng, 26, Barista
You kind of blew up online, how did that happen? And do you really look like Greg Hsu?
[Laughs] I’ve been in the coffee industry since I was 16, working my way through cafes. When a cafe in Hong Kong invited me for a bar takeover, I posted some clips, and suddenly people were like, “Wait, is that the guy from Marry My Dead Body?” Wild, but I’ll take it.
Who walks into If Only?
Everyone. We’re surrounded by embassies and KLCC, so it’s a mix of tourists, expats, and locals. It feels like a micro-version of KL itself: unexpected, diverse, full of personality.
Your style is lowkey — plain tees, loose jeans, and tattoos. Is that intentional?
It’s all about comfort and movement behind the bar. Oversized tees, baggy denim. I’ll add some silver earrings or a pearl charm necklace to break the monotony.
If we gave you the Coach Tabby, how would you display the courage to be real?
Honestly, I’d probably bring it to a wedding. That’s the one time I really dress up, when the occasion means something. Or maybe for a cute bar takeover. Something a little special, but still what I would do.
(On Mariam) Tabby shoulder bag, Coach; Dress, belt, pants, necklace, earrings, rings, bangle, boots, bag charms, all Mariam’s own
Mariam, 29, Fashion Stylist
Arif Kamarudin, 25, Musician
Both your music and style carry this raw, romantic edge. Where does that come from?
Arif: It’s instinct, but an intentional one. I don’t really create characters, I just channel different versions of myself. The softness, the edge, the emotion — it’s all pulled from real life. If it feels romantic, it’s because that’s the way I live.
You’re handed the Coach Tabby. Where are you taking it, what are you wearing, and how do you display the courage to be real?
Mariam: The Coach Tabby is one of those bags that just gets the assignment, no matter the outfit. It fits right into my malas [lazy] girl style. I’d throw it on with a casual dress, white boots, and layer it with charms and accessories. Perfect for a day of errands, sourcing pieces, or grabbing lunch with friends. Basically, being that girl who’s booked and busy.
What do outsiders often get wrong about KL’s fashion scene?
Mariam: How rich it is. People go to Bangkok or Jakarta to shop and explore, but I wish they looked at KL with the same curiosity. There’s so much talent here just waiting for the spotlight.
Do you ever swap clothes, and what’s something you ‘borrowed’ but never returned?
Arif: Always. Jackets, rings, sometimes even bags. I’m pretty sure a few of mine are still living in her closet somewhere. But it’s cool. They look better on her anyway.
Photography Chee Wei
Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah
Interview Asha Farisha
Fashion Coordination Manfred Lu
Grooming & Hair Christer Chin | Insglobal Creation Team
Grooming & Hair Assistants Joey Tan | Tippy Insglobal Creation Team
Photography Assistant Max Ong
On-Set Stylist Liew Hui Ying
Styling Assistants Illy Azman, Aqeil Aydin
Special Thanks Kantata KL
Like this story on finding the courage to be real? Click here to catch up with our latest issue.