Kuala Lumpur – Many reporters looked puzzled and giggled when Federal Commercial Crime Investigation (CCID) director Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh mentioned the name Bijan during the press conference over probe into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) on Wednesday, according to the Straits Times Malaysia Online on Wednesday.
One of them asked Amar Singh to spell out Bijan. Rightly so, as not many Malaysians would have herd of the brand before.
A Bijan bag was among 567 handbags of 37 brands seized during raids conducted by the police from luxury condomiums in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur of former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife. Other bands included Hermes, Chanel and Prada.
Amar Singh said the Bijan handbag seized was custom-made and not available in the market. But the most expensive handbag in the collection was believed to be worth RM1.6 million.
According to Forbes, Bijan, an ultra-luxurious fashion house with its by-appointment only boutique in Beverly Hills, has been long famed for its limited-edition and custom-made clothes catering to elite clients.
The store is said to be the most expensive in the world where clients shop in the most luxurious surroundings, and items on offer include custom suits, perfumes, watches and even limited edition Bugattti and Rolls Royce cars.
Bijan used to cater almost exclusively to men – its suits, priced at about US$12,000 are worn by former US president George Bush and Barak Obama.
However, a women’s collection began in 2014 with a line of made-to-order handbags in a variety of colours.
According to Los Angeles Times, a bag in alligator leather with palladium hardware costs about US$65,000 and can go up to US$175,000 if embellished with diamonds.