Born on February 27, 1968, in Kuala Lumpur, Bernard Chandran is of Indian and Chinese descent. Initially pursuing accounting, he shifted to fashion, studying at the International Fashion Training College in Kuala Lumpur in 1988. In 1991, he became the first non-European to win both the Silk Cut Young Designers Award and the Open European Contest for Look of the Year. Returning to Malaysia in 1993, he launched his eponymous label, gaining acclaim for revitalizing traditional Malay attire with innovative designs.

His clientele includes Malaysian elites and international celebrities like Michelle Yeoh and Lady Gaga. Notable achievements include designing attire for Malaysian athletes at the 2012 London Olympics and receiving the Designer of the Year award at the Malaysia Fashion Awards in 2017