Malaysian fashion label Motoguo returns after two-year hiatus

After a two-year pause, Malaysian fashion label Motoguo is set to relaunch, with founders Guo Moto and Kinder Eng citing burnout and a need to rebuild the business as primary reasons for their hiatus. The duo has been traveling between Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, preparing for a new chapter for the brand known for its whimsical designs, childlike nostalgia, and irreverent humor.

"We were tired of the fashion routine. It became nonstop, season after season, always chasing the next thing. Mentally, it was exhausting," Eng explained. Guo added that the team also recognized "unstable fundamentals within the company that we had neglected over the years because we were constantly focused on producing collections."

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We were tired of the fashion routine. It became nonstop, season after season, always chasing the next thing. Mentally, it was exhausting.

Launched in 2015, Motoguo quickly established a niche with its unique aesthetic, blending eccentricity with subversive humor and challenging gender conventions through its designs. The label was the first Southeast Asian brand to be shortlisted for the LVMH Prize in 2016. Its creations have been featured in shows like "Euphoria" and "Emily in Paris," and it cultivated a significant following in China.

However, the brand's success, particularly in China, led to intense demand that outpaced its capacity. Guo described the post-COVID-19 period in China as extremely fast-paced, with a surge in "revenge buying." When global markets reopened, the pace in China slowed, leading to health issues within the team. This period of reflection allowed them to reassess their priorities and prepare for a more sustainable future for Motoguo.

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Business-wise, we also realised there were many unstable fundamentals within the company that we had neglected over the years because we were constantly focused on producing collections.