At only 27 years, Limkokwing alumna in Fashion and Retail Design Jeyabarathi Rajagopal has a colourful career as a professional graphic and fashion designer, make-up artist, model, entrepreneur, and beauty queen. She stands as the Director of Bellezza One Stop Centre – an online centre specialising in graphic design, fashion, makeup, printing illustrations, and events.
Below she lets us in on her career journey and the accolades she packed along the way:
When did you discover your passion?
“I discovered that I have an interest in sewing when I was only 10 years old as my mother is a tailor. I always watched and helped her out with her work. I was inspired by her and started to sew my fashion bags and pouches at the age of 15. I brought my own designed bags to classes and from then on, I learned to sew mini dresses for Barbie dolls before I decided to study Diploma in Fashion & Retail Design. My family, the pillar of my success, encouraged me to pursue this course as it was a promising idea to make my passion a career.”
How did studying at Limkokwing influence what you’re doing today?
“I did my Diploma in Fashion and Retail Design (2013); and my Degree in Professional Design (2017) at Limkokwing University Cyberjaya. First of all, I will confidently say that my diploma journey has taught me a lot as I was very young and had very little knowledge about fashion, sewing, garments, and pattern drafting. I thank all of my lecturers who made me think out of the box to expand my creativity to a higher level. During the journey of being a fashion designer, I realised and acknowledged that I needed auxiliary skills to expand and market my ideas and creativity. At that juncture, I decided to pursue my degree in design and be a graphic designer. Notably, this course has assisted and guided me on numerous paths. From zero to hero - on ideas and creativity of graphic designing - I was able to commence a business wholly by myself, without expecting any other sources or outsiders, except my family members and friends who bolstered me with remarkable and extraordinary support and ideas. Today, I am professionally utilising, all the skills and knowledge that I have learned at Limkokwing University.”
Take us through accomplishments you are most proud of:
“During my career as a Beauty Queen, I won Miss Congeniality 2018 and I was in the top 5 of Miss India Worldwide Malaysia the same year. In 2019, I was selected as Miss Photogenic for Ratu Anggun and Miss Best Talent for Miss Saree Malaysia 2019 - additionally, I was also crowned as Miss Saree Malaysia 1st Runner Up. Recently, I have been nominated and awarded as Graphic Designer of The Year 2019-2020 by Malaysia Fashion, Modeling, and Pageant Awards 2020 for Miss Malaysia Kebaya, Selangor Fashion Week, and The Next Look’s official graphic designer. I have been an ambassador for Miss Malaysia Kebaya since 2020. Bellezza One Stop Centre is the manifestation of my dream of combining all of my skills and passion into one. There were real and fundamental challenges when I tried to glue the different fields of study as one. Nevertheless, it is was possible because I had the confidence, courage, and determination to move forward.”
How has your company contributed to your community?
“In Fashion, Bellezza has produced ready-to-wear multi-ethnic products nationally and internationally; we showcased Malaysian cultural attires on the ramp during fashion shows supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in different states. Besides that, Bellezza has also been the official graphic designer for many events held in Malaysia including pageant shows, cultural events, and Conferences held at Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Genting Highlands, and other states such as Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Malacca to support and promote Malaysian Culture and Tourism.
As far as design is concerned, our overwhelming participation in the 14th General Election has given us a promising experience and exposure. In terms of beauty and makeup, Bellezza has been conducting a variety of beauty courses for the younger generation who want to begin a business career in their respective field. Since March 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all of my physical courses have been conducted online. Moreover, Bellezza is a specialist when comes to printing in mass production. We produce in bulk items such as T-shirts, buntings, banners, stickers, booklets, pamphlets, brochures, signage, badges, and many more. Our mass production, evidently expanded and that brought us to a distinct level during 14th General Election, and through our shows, events, and conferences.”
Facebook – www.facebook.com/bellezza.planet/
Instagram - www.instagram.com/bellezza.planet/
