Made for every woman 

There is a particular kind of woman Syazana Sukiman designs for.  Women that is constantly in motion, already mid-sentence, already halfway through a life that demands both beauty and practicality in equal measure. It is for this kind of woman that Whimsigirl exists, and it is for her that “The Great Estate” was born. 

For Raya 2026, the Malaysian label Whimsigirl returns with a collection that is rooted in craft, beauty and inheritance. From intricate blooms to exuberant colourways and versatile fabrics, “The Great Estate” collection is all about feeling like a second skin. Clothes that do not ask you to slow down, but meet you exactly where you are. The collection arrives at a particular moment for the label. In the years since Whimsigirl first made its name dressing a certain kind of effortlessly composed Malaysian woman, Syazana has refined her sensibility into something quieter and more assured: the kind of confidence that does not announce itself, but simply exists. “The Great Estate” is the fullest expression of that evolution yet.

In a conversation with the founder, she tells the inspiration and story behind the collection and its designs.

In conversation with Syazana Sukiman on Whimsigirl’s Raya 2026 collection:

Did fashion ever feel like a real career path, or was it just something you needed to do for yourself?

Most of us spend our youth studying something, and that will be the career path we take. 20 years ago, I did architecture and immediately knew it’s not something I’d want to pursue career-wise. I graduated and took a year off exploring and learning multiple skills to fill up my time, with the hope that I would find something I love to do. I’ve always had a good eye since I was a kid—always pushing limits creatively. I have a deep, unhealthy obsession with beautiful fabrics, and my love for fabrication led me to learning how to create something out of it. 

From creating something for the house, baby accessories, children’s clothing and then naturally evolving to womenswear. I trusted the creative process and let my intuition and belief system guide the company and me to where it is today.

Your pieces are built around linen and cotton—fabrics suited for Malaysia’s climate. How do you keep that practical foundation feeling elevated and intentional rather than basic?

Balancing form and function is where my architectural background comes in handy. Who are we designing for, what kind of jobs and lives do they have, what would our women need? Basically, narrowing down their psyche to the tee. That’s where we believe that practical foundation is also the core foundation of the garments we create. Our women are busy and come from all walks of life. They wear our foundational pieces as they navigate through their days, eventually forgetting they’re even wearing them as the clothes become a part of them—like a second skin.

How do you modernise a traditional garment without stripping it of its cultural weight?

We don’t. Our heritage wear is timeless—never in need of stripping down. Instead, we preserve their essence, tailoring them to the day-to-day lives and personal styles of the Whimsigirl women—exceptional fabrication, precise fit, thoughtful patterns and subtle details. We’ve mastered the art of balancing design and function: never too much, never too little—always just right.

Previous Eid collections have leaned into narratives of women’s empowerment. Does The Great Estate carry a message, or was this collection more about the craft?

While “The Great Estate” celebrates our craft, it’s inseparable from the women we create for. Every piece reflects both the skill behind it and the energy of the women who wear them. “AURA” embodies the women we grew up wanting to be, and “The Great Estate” invites our audience into the grand world of these women—the matriarch. In everything we do, craft and story go hand in hand.

This collection leans heavily into ramie, whereas Whimsigirl has long been associated with linen and cotton. What pushed you to make ramie the hero fabric this time?

At Whimsigirl, we focus on longevity and styles that go beyond trends. Every fabric is chosen to complement different ways of dressing. Linen offers buttery softness, natural drape, and a cooling feel that improves with age: perfect for everyday wear. If you want structure and a lightweight, delicate appearance, ramie is for you.

Ramie has a crisper, more structured hand compared to your usual soft linen. How does that change the way the garments move and feel on the body?

Both fabrics age beautifully. The creases and patina, texture and cooling weight of these fabrics have a tactile quality that synthetics simply cannot replicate. There’s a reason these fabrics have endured for thousands of years, while most synthetic alternatives have come and gone. We see luxury in the quiet, and what matters is how something we wear makes us feel—not just how it looks. Linens, cottons, and ramie are fabrications that are understated, with gentle imperfections that are intentional. These are designs meant to be well-lived-in for years, not just something to look at and wear for a day.

Adding trousers feels like a bolder, more tailored move for the brand. Are trousers becoming a bigger part of how you think about Raya dressing?

Always. To be honest, I’m a pantsuit girl myself. While a large portion of our customer base celebrates Eid with kurung and kebaya, we also have Malaysian and non-Malaysian customers from other racial groups who shop with us regularly. It’s important that we offer a range to choose from—modest dressing for Ramadan, Eid, and beyond.

Your pieces sell out super fast. How has it been managing that, and how does it make you feel?

When you double down on who you are—your values, your strengths, and what you believe in—audiences that resonate will naturally align themselves with you. At our core as humans, we’re encouraged to find ways to better serve others. We can’t solve world hunger or cure diseases, but as fashion creatives, we design pieces that improve our women’s lives—ultimately, supporting them as they go on to accomplish great things. We all can make a difference. I like to believe it’s a combination of many factors—and our values that truly resonate with our women. 

Shop the collection here.