21yo M’sian Learnt How To Sew From YouTube & Google, Opens Up Own Boutique After 3 Years

For many people, turning their passion into their occupation has always been their dream. But, it is often not as easy as we believe it to be. 

As we were scrolling through TikTok one day (as always), we stumbled across a beautiful gown made from Borneo batik.

Seeing how wonderful it looked, we decided to contact the designer of the gown, who turned out to be Rachel Jael Herry, aged 21. 

Rachel told us that her passion for sewing started when she was 18. Her father works in Singapore, so he once brought a sewing machine for Rachel. 

The young teen in Tawau, Sabah, believed that she could make her own clothes with that machine, so she looked up sewing tutorials on YouTube and learned how to make patterns from Google. 

“Day by day, it became my hobby, and I was thinking that maybe I should make this hobby of mine into a job.”

After becoming more skilled, she decided to take the leap of faith and opened up her own boutique Chel Luxury at the age of 20. 

Just like other businesses, the start was a bit slow. However, Rachel started receiving orders from her clients for custom pieces. 

It is this video that we see on TikTok how that made her business eventually expand exponentially. 

@racheljaell

she requested this design using the Borneo fabric for her wedding. This is actually my first time making a mermaid cut style and design like this which it is 2-in-1. Thank you orang Sarawak for the trust. I love Sarawak??‍♀️❤️? #sarawak #borneo #sabah #fashion #design #future #designer

♬ original sound – RACHEL JAEL ?? – RACHEL JAEL ??

Rachel told us that she never expected her video to go viral, and she received many messages on different social media platforms every day after that video. 

The young designer has said she would be going to school soon in August to take up a Diploma in Fashion Design as she wants to learn more things. 

So if you’re interested in getting something custom-made by Rachel, she accepts orders from all over Malaysia. All you have to do is measure yourself and send the measurements to her. She will send the clothing to you via post when it is completed. You can contact her here. 

This young woman certainly has a bright future. We wish Rachel all the best in her future endeavours!

Do you have any other similar stories? Let us know in the comments. 

Also read: Founder of Ramly Burger Started Business With a Modal of RM2,000 & Now It’s a Household Brand!