In an era where fashion often prioritises speed over substance, Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran has chosen a quieter, more introspective path. The internationally acclaimed designer’s latest exhibition, MYTH Creation, marks a significant artistic transformation shaped by ten days of silent Vipassana meditation in India and inspired by the rare Year of the Wood Snake, a celestial event that occurs once every 60 years.

Following the success of MYTH Evolution, which examined Chandran’s Chinese heritage and his relationship with the Year of the Dragon, the designer embarked on a spiritual journey that would fundamentally alter his creative direction. “From 龙 (lóng), meaning Dragon, I meditated on 变 (biàn), meaning Change,” Chandran reflects. “But it wasn’t until Vipassana that I understood where change leads — 蛇 (shé), the Snake.”

The catalyst for this shift came unexpectedly through art. Chandran acquired a life-sized charcoal drawing of an Indian Sadhu by acclaimed Malaysian artist Ahmad Zaki, inspired by the sacred city of Benares. The powerful image became a spiritual anchor, prompting the designer to retreat inward and ultimately undertake his meditative journey in the final days of 2024.

Art Exploration

MYTH Creation debuts with MYTHS of Aura, an inaugural series of four works representing Renewal, Spirituality, Enlightenment, and Passion. Rooted in the symbolism of the Wood Snake, the pieces reflect values of patience, kindness, and introspection — virtues that now define Chandran’s renewed creative philosophy.

“Like the snake, I symbolically shed my old skin,” Chandran explains. “This retreat reminded me that ‘this too shall pass.’ It allowed me to return to slow, deliberate thinking — creating without ego and without urgency.”

After more than three decades navigating the relentless pace of the fashion industry, alongside the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood, Chandran describes this period as a necessary pause. The exhibition marks a return to intentional artistry, where meaning takes precedence over momentum.

The significance of MYTH Creation has already been recognised internationally. Christie’s London featured selected works from the collection alongside pieces from MYTH Evolution in a prestigious presentation late last year, positioning Chandran’s artistic evolution within a global context.

The complete MYTH Creation exhibition is currently on view at Bernard Chandran’s private studio, presented just before the close of the Year of the Snake, ahead of the Lunar New Year of 2026. Chandran describes this moment as “the symbolic tail of the snake” — a full-circle culmination of transformation, reflection, and rebirth.

In a cultural landscape increasingly driven by commercial imperatives, MYTH Creation stands as a rare affirmation of spiritual authenticity, patience, and artistic integrity — reminding us that true evolution often begins in stillness.