Celebrity designer Calvin Thoo embraces Islam

21 May 2013 01:41am

Calvin Thoo recites his Islamic creed (shahadah) in front of Ustaz Ismail Kamus

By Noorsila Abd Majid

KUALA LUMPUR: No one could see it coming. Malaysian celebrity designer Calvin Thoo rocks the country with news of his conversion to Islam.

Confirming the news to Red Carpet, the publicity-shy designer however, has declined to elaborate, saying: “Salam. I’m afraid I do not have time for interviews. Thanks.”

News of his conversion was leaked online on Monday after his friend, Amin Idris – a TV presenter with Islamic TV station, TV Alhijrah posted it on his official Facebook.

“Alhamdulillah (Thank you Allah)…Calvin Thoo has said his shahadah (Islamic creed) at 3pm today (Sunday), witnessed by Ustaz Datuk Ismail Kamus, Datuk Dr. Asri Zainal Abidin and Ustaz Solihin Mokhyi….but I couldn’t be there,” Amin wrote on his FB.

Even supermodel Amber Chia, who’s worked with the award-winning designer, was caught by surprise. “He’s converted to Islam? I didn’t know that. I’ve not seen him in a long time,” she said.

It is believed that Calvin intends to keep his name as it is after his conversion.

A gifted designer, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) graduate has been in the fashion industry for 17 years. His boutique is located at Lot 10 shopping centre in KL.

His celebrity clientele include the likes of Anita Sarawak, Erra Fazira, Marsha Londoh and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

Among his noteworthy projects are Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week, Malaysian International Fashion Awards, Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian and KL Islamic Fashion Festival.

In fact, during his showcase at the Islamic Fashion Festival (IFF) in Kangar, Perlis last October, Calvin publicly shared his admiration for Islam, telling The Star that his black and white YingYang collection reflected his belief that “Islam is a very pure religion.”

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