Together with Bvlgari, L’OFFICIEL meets three Malaysian talents making their mark across food, fashion, entertainment and lifestyle to talk craft, influence and creating something that lasts.

What does it take to leave a mark? For Bvlgari, it is a story more than a century in the making—one defined by bold creativity, distinctive design and an unwavering dedication to craftsmanship. Deeply rooted in its Roman heritage yet always looking forward, the Maison continues to reinvent its codes while preserving the unmistakable spirit that has made it "Eternally Iconic".
It is a philosophy that finds its parallel in three Malaysian women, each carving out a space of her own while shaping culture on her own terms. This month, L’OFFICIEL brings together Claire Tan, Nia Atasha and Michiyo Ho for “In Their Own Way,” an exclusive series celebrating individuality, enduring influence and the confidence to create a legacy that is entirely one’s own.

Among some of the most celebrated names in the local F&amp;B scene, Claire Tan is known for reshaping Kuala Lumpur’s dining scene with Grumpy Bagels. Her approach finds common ground with Bvlgari and the spirit of Eternally Iconic: a belief in craftsmanship, character and creating something distinctive enough to endure. From an unexpected career change to building a name of her own, Claire’s story is one of trusting the process and understanding that the details often make the difference.
For L’OFFICIEL’s "In Her Own Way" series, Claire reflects on trusting the process, building a business with purpose and creating something meaningful enough to last.

You have carved out a very different space for yourself within this industry. Was there one choice or leap of faith that changed the direction of your career?
Yes. The moment I left my stable, exciting career as a flight attendant to pursue baking full-time was the leap that changed everything. Although it wasn't entirely a decision I made on my own, the pandemic made it for me in many ways; it gave me the courage to try something new and ultimately led me to where I am today.&nbsp;
Your work influences people in different ways. What does it mean to you to have that kind of impact? 
It means everything, and honestly, it still catches me off guard sometimes. When I started sharing our journey online, I was just trying to let people know we existed. I never imagined that our renovation videos, our stories about preserving old buildings or our behind-the-scenes moments would move people the way they have. People have told me that our story gave them the courage to start their own business.
Behind what people eventually see is often years of refining your craft. What part of your craft are you most particular about, and why?
Always the process. Every single bagel we make is hand-rolled and boiled before it's baked. These are the steps that define what a bagel is and they're also the steps that take the most time. We actually could find shortcuts, cut some of the steps, save on baking time, use machines for mass production. But for me, that's the part I care about the most because I always believe that eventually, the difference always shows.

Bvlgari is known for pieces that are distinctive enough to be recognised yet designed to transcend generations. What do you hope people will remember about your work years from now? 
I hope they remember the ambience, the space, and the story of these buildings, not just the bagels and the food. But don't get me wrong, as much as I love the buildings we work with, we put so much effort and care into our food and products too.
&nbsp;Every single bagel we make is still hand-rolled to this day. That will never change. But beyond the food, what we really want to convey to our community is something bigger. Malaysia is such a beautiful country with so much history and so many stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated. we want to play a part in that by repurposing these beautiful old buildings and pieces of architecture so that people from overseas and our future generations get to experience and appreciate the past of Malaysia.
Trends are always changing. How do you stay current while still staying true to yourself? 
I'm always curious and love to explore new things to stay grounded and stay true to our vision. But at the same time, I always remind myself I love travelling, and I always find so much inspiration from the cafés I visit abroad. the way people appreciate food, the way they create and inhabit a space, the details they choose to honour. All of that keeps me motivated and brings new ideas back to what we're building.
When I have a lot of crazy ideas, I always come back to the same questions I ask myself as a founder. What do I want people to feel when they walk into our space? Will this make them proud as a local? Is our product always up to the standard we've set for ourselves? I always believe that trends come and go, but my vision and effort as a founder are those that last. I prefer to build something timeless and memorable rather than chase something temporary.

CREDITS:
Photography: Weeyang Creative Direction &amp; Styling: Amelia Tan Hair: Juno Ko Makeup: SiiewWen and WanYing / Color Blindness Lighting and Photography Assistant: Carl All Jewellery: BVLGARI Clothing: The Ivory Bridal KL

In Her Own Way: Claire Tan on honing her craft and shaping culture feat. Bvlgari

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