His clientele includes the Royal families of Malaysia and Brunei and his clothes have graced catwalks all over the world.

Malaysia's Prince of fashion and designer of the year visited University of Central Lancashire students this month to give a talk to fashion students.

The Paris trained designer of Chinese-Indian descent opened his first boutique in Knightsbridge London earlier this year and he was more than happy to share with students the drive for success which has brought him to the UK.

He said, "To be a creator is to invent fashion that people have not used or have not even thought of yet."

"It used to be an era and period of old European Grandeur that proclaimed sophistication, but right now I notice it daily. I observe how people sit, walk and present themselves, their smile and character. People inspire me."

Bernard specialises in tailored suits and female couture. He has developed an art for creating intricate, daring designs applied to tradional clothing. He began his Malaysian fashion empire in 1993 with just four employees.