M'sian star Elfira Loy swaps acting for fashion
M'sian actress-host Elfira Loy is moving on from acting and wants to design for petite women like her
At 22, she is a household name and has more than 2.6 million Instagram followers.
But Malaysian actress-host Nurul Elfira Loy Ahmad Sabri, better known as Elfira Loy, may throw it all away.
"I don't want to (act anymore) because I think it's too much," she told The New Paper at CelebFest 2016: Ramadan Edition presented by RoseValley on Saturday.
She has moved on to fashion. Elfira has come up with her first fashion line of head scarves and cardigans called El by Elfira Loy.
The line was debuted at CelebFest, which took place over the weekend at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The event saw 120 booths manned by local celebrities, including Norfasarie and Nurul Aini, promoting their businesses. Forty celebrities, including those from Malaysia and Indonesia, also appeared on stage and mingled with fans.
Elfira, who started acting at the age of 12 when her mother got her to join the cast of Ali Baba: The Musical Theatre (2006), said that although she enjoys acting, she is not going to pursue it actively.
She was hospitalised in March and it was believed to be due to being overworked.
But Elfira dismissed the rumours and said: "I contracted leptospirosis (a bacterial infection) through something I ate.
"This infection can result in death, it's very dangerous. I was lucky I went for treatment early, if not the doctors said I might not be here today."
Elfira's move to fashion is not a surprise for fans who have followed her since she started selling head scarves, T-shirts and phone cases under the label Twinkle by Elfira in 2014.
That, she said, "was just for the sake of giving fans something".
"I was trying different things to see what I liked, but now I want to make a proper career out of this.
"Having just graduated, I want to start my own business," said Elfira whohas a diploma in entertainment arts from KDU University College in Selangor.
CAFE
She branched out into food and beverage last year with her cafe in Kuala Lumpur, Love Me Seven Days.
Now, she is going "all out" with a ready-to-wear line and a desire to design for petite Muslim women like her, because "long dresses and coats in the normal market are always too long".
"My main aim is to one day become a high street brand like H&M or Uniqlo," said Elfira, who is 1.52m tall.
Elfira is also the face of the campaign for British-Japanese designer Hana Tajima's third collection of modest fashion for Uniqlo.
"When I went to New York to shoot for Uniqlo, I was so inspired by (Tajima) and her collection. She designed everything herself and chose all the fabrics so I told myself that's what I want to do with my line - I want to be as involved," she said.
"I did everything (for) this line on my own, from the designs to the measurements... Like today, I'm setting up my booth myself.
"Some stars just put their name on products, but that's not me. I like to do it myself so I understand the hard work and what goes on behind it."
Her fashion advice is: Be yourself.
"When it comes to modest fashion, there are a lot of materials. If you have a complicated hijab style on top, keep it simple below and when your outfit is loud, a simple scarf will do."
Although fashion is her focus, she may return to acting. She also hopes to do more behind-the-scenes work.
And what of marriage?
"Love is nice. I'm open to it but I don't think anyone is brave enough to approach me because I'm always with my mum. I'm always home. I'm not like other teenagers who are always out," Elfira said.
"I'm a private person so I really don't think anyone dares to get to know me".
Some stars just put their name on products, but that's not me.
- Malaysian actress-host Elfira Loy on how she did 'everything' for her new fashion line
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