The Khmer designer who brings Cambodian fashion to the world stage.
The Khmer designer who brings Cambodian fashion to the world stage
For several years, Seyha Men , better known as Oliva Kong , has been revolutionizing the fashion world in Cambodia and internationally. Combining ancestral Khmer inspirations with contemporary techniques, he embodies the new generation of designers committed to sustainable and inclusive fashion. From his humble beginnings in Phnom Penh to the catwalks of Milan Fashion Week, discover the inspiring journey of this designer who is promoting Khmer heritage.
Biography and first steps
Origins and self-taught training
Born Men Seyha in Pursat, Seyha Men grew up in a family of sculptors before turning to fashion. After abandoning a finance degree, he experienced difficult times—losing his sculpture business, insecure work, and even homelessness—before discovering his vocation as a clothing designer.
Birth of the Oliva Kong identity
In 2016, after landing a modeling role at Phnom Penh Designer Week, Men Seyha adopted the stage name Oliva Kong . He soon after founded his first boutique, Queen Victoria , and then embarked on creating his own line, combining local know-how and contemporary inspirations. In 2024, he was also recognized in the prestigious Prestige 40 Under 40 Cambodia ranking , which celebrates the kingdom's emerging young talents.
Creative universe and Khmer inspirations
Traditional patterns and techniques
Oliva Kong's collections reinterpret motifs from the iconography of Angkor – Apsaras, Kbach Angkor , royal hairstyles – which he transposes onto evening dresses, suits and avant-garde silhouettes.
Commitment to sustainability
Concerned about the environment, Oliva incorporates recycled materials into its fashion shows: plastic bottles transformed into dresses, reworked fabric scraps, or even upcycling jute from cement bags to create unique accessories.
International influence
Milan Fashion Week
In November 2023, Oliva Kong presented a “Khmer Spirit” collection at Milan Fashion Week , becoming the first Cambodian designer to win an award in Italy, receiving the “Top Fashion Designer Award” for his show at Palazzo Dorazzi.
Events and collaborations
He regularly collaborates with the Ministry of Culture to modernize Apsara hairstyles and has trained models for royal shows at Angkor. He also creates educational content at his Catwalk Training Center Cambodia to train the next generation of Khmer models.
Social impact and training
School and workshops
Oliva Kong now runs a training center in Phnom Penh where he teaches fashion design, makeup, and runway shows. His ambition: to provide young Cambodian talents with the skills they need to break into the international scene.
Support for vulnerable communities
Through upcycling and fair trade, its projects integrate artisans from rural areas, particularly women victims of trafficking, guaranteeing them a stable income and promoting their traditional know-how.
Conclusion
From his rocky journey to his success on the Milan runways, Seyha Men (Oliva Kong) embodies the rebirth of Cambodian soft power through fashion. His blend of Khmer tradition, sustainability, and pedagogy makes him a pioneer to watch, poised to write the next chapters of fashion history in Cambodia and beyond.