Malan Breton

Biography

Malan Breton (born 16 June 1973) is a Taiwanese-born fashion designer. He is known for his work as a film, and music video director, as a columnist, costume designer, popular musician, television, film producer, Goodwill Ambassador to Taiwan, Ambassador to UK Parliament / Parliamentary Society, and actor. Breton launched his namesake fashion label "Malan Breton" in 2005, Malan Breton Homme in 2010, and Fantôme Malan Breton in 2012. On 27 March 2020, Malan Breton released his first music single, a cover of "Somethin' Stupid", featuring Japanese pop band Emergency Tiara. He is also known for his philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, and the United States.

== Early life == Breton was born in Taipei, Taiwan. He began designing fashion at the age of eleven but grew up acting as a performer in the entertainment industry. He never went to design school and is self-taught as a designer.

== Career == In 1996, Breton moved to New York to cast for the New York fashion week Spring 1997 Collection shows at 7th on Sixth. As a model, Breton was featured by photographers and directors Herb Ritts, Len Prince and Hype Williams. Thom Oliphant, Joseph Kahn, thus getting his start in fashion design as a stylist. His mentors in fashion include Arnold Scaasi, also noted is his training on Savile Row. In 2005, Breton was one of twelve new designers to watch for on the New York runway in WWD Women's Wear Dailies "Cheat Sheet".

One of Malan Breton earliest public appearances includes Project Runway Season 3 (2006), in which he took 14th place, being the second contestant eliminated from the show. Breton was featured on an episode of E! Television Fashion Emergency when he performed in the 1998 revival of Cabaret on Broadway. From 1999 to 2005, he was the promo voice of ESPN Extreme Sports and the promo voice for ABC Sports. In 2007, he opened the first Malan Breton flagship store in NYC. In 2008 Malan Breton added an Accessory range. In 2010, added a menswear range called Malan Breton Homme. In 2008, Breton was featured on an episode of Australia's Next Top Model (Cycle 4, episode New York, New York). Breton was featured on MTV News (episode 'Project Runway' Alumni Stand Out at New York Fashion Week). In 2009, he appeared on MTV Detox (Jim Cantiello With No Pants!). In 2011, Malan Breton Homme was featured on MTV News (It's A 'Party And Rock And Roll' Lifestyle For Jim). In 2010, Breton designed costumes for the NBC game show Minute to Win It, and again in 2011. In 2012, Malan Breton added Fantôme Malan Breton clothing. In 2015, Breton starred with Celeste Holm in the comedy College Debts. In 2016, Malan Breton was named Ambassador to Taiwan to the office of Tourism. In 2017, Breton appeared on an episode of Good Day New York featured on FOX Television Stations, and partnered with Tokenly and Sohomuse to "launch the first blockchain-powered digital experience for the fashion industry". In 2020, Breton held his first 3D online fashion show, featuring CGI-designed models. On 27 March 2020, Malan Breton with Emergency Tiara released a cover of the music single "Somethin' Stupid". In December 2020, Malan Breton duetted with Consuelo Costin on a charity cover of the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas". His collections, film, and TV appearances have been documented by Women’s Wear Daily.

=== Fashion design === Breton is a fashion designer whose work has been featured in international fashion media, including Vogue, A “Vogue" article titled “Meet Malan Breton, The Most Influential Designer You’ve Never Heard Of” profiled Breton and his multidisciplinary work in fashion and performance. Breton has stated in interviews that his design process incorporates conceptual and thematic influences, which are reflected in his runway presentations and creative work.

Breton's Spring 2017 collection was presented at New York Fashion Week and featured celebrities as models, including Frankie Grande, Tituss Burgess. NeNe Leakes, and Bryan Batt. Breton continued to present seasonal collections at New York Fashion Week, that incorporated thematic inspiration and conceptual runway design. In 2020, Breton explored virtual fashion shows using CGI-generated models. Breton presented his Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear collection during London Fashion Week.

Breton presented his collection at Paris Fashion Week in 2024. In 2025, Breton was interviewed regarding his continued involvement in New York Fashion Week and his ongoing work in fashion, design, and philanthropy, including advocacy related to Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. His work has also been covered in trade press including Women’s Wear Daily, which has reported on his runway presentations and brand expansion.

=== Industry recognition === Breton has been included in coverage of Fashion Group International 'Rising Star Award' recipients in Women’s Wear Daily. He has also been featured in reporting on international fashion markets, including Taiwan-related industry coverage.