What stories do these garments tell? How do they shape the way we see and experience identity, culture, and creativity? We invite you to explore these questions as you journey through the bold Chamber of Curiosities created for pop star Aina Abdul by designer Melinda Looi. To dress and to be dressed is to communicate an identity - and through Abdul’s esoteric and out-of-this-world costuming is a fearless new sense of glamour, theatre, and artistry. According to fashion historian Anne Hollander (1993), fashion is “a form of visual art, a creation of images with the visible self as its medium.”

Since 2022, Melinda and her creative team have worked with Aina to create 15+ custom performance outfits. Each outfit begins with the singer's creative vision, one that is complete and vivid, often drawing upon natural imagery and emotional worlds at the heart of concept. As an artist, Aina Abdul comes with an entire universe - she takes the creative reins visually in the same way she writes and composes music. Whether she aims to be a pulsating heart, embody the vibrant life of a garden, or take on an airy, cloud-like presence, Aina’s concepts are grounded in a visual impact—seeking to engage her audience while openly expressing her emotions. When an outfit begins to take shape, Aina unites her creative team with interdisciplinary practitioners, forming a dialogue between designer, production crew, lighting operator, and set design, to accompany her sonic world.

Together, Melinda and Aina work in constant collaboration. Embracing modesty, Melinda creates designs for Aina that celebrate her creativity and reshape the concept of modest dressing. To be modest does not mean to compromise in styling. Melinda’s designs not only captivate visually but are meticulously crafted to ensure Aina’s freedom of movement and stamina, enabling her to deliver powerful performances without compromise. These costumes do more than visually represent concepts; they physically transform Aina on stage, allowing her to embody emotions and narratives that resonate deeply with her audience.

Using the body as a canvas, Melinda begins most designs with silhouettes that flatter Aina’s dimensions, often cutting the base of most dresses into hourglass or mermaid shapes. Building upon this foundation, Melinda and her team layer, twist, drape, apply an assortment of textiles to construct a story. The body is used “as a catalyst and space for creation and communication of meaning,” according to design scholar Jessica Bugg. Whether it is a stream of blossoms, roots of a tree, or the veins of a heart, Melinda imbues emotion with every overlay. Often working within tight time frames, Melinda never compromises on the garments’ minutiae. These pieces are never easy to make, but her choices are confident ones, in service of the story.

You are invited to consider these 8 iconic looks in the Chamber of Curiosities. These costumes serve as crucial instruments in Aina’s performances, transcending mere clothing to become embodied storytelling devices. When she moves, the intricate textures, shapes, and silhouettes catch the light and respond to her presence, amplifying the theatricality and emotional depth that define her artistry. The careful balance of aesthetic boldness and performative practicality ensures that Aina can express every nuance of her music, unrestrained. Each design “becomes a space of fiction to create new stories and embroider on old ones” (Caroline Evans, 2003) Iconic looks like Queen Ant, Rama-Rama, and the Tree of Life draw inspiration from earthly creatures, embodying strength, power, and rootedness. Bold, celestial costumes such as Cermin Cinta and Terus Hidup make Aina shine on stage. Meanwhile, the intricate details of Secret Garden, Puas Sudah, and Jantung reveal new visual and emotional layers with every glance. These looks are protection, armour, and confidence, personified by Aina herself.