16.11.2024

Open letter regarding "Old Money" style criticism in Malaysia

Discover Adam Rahman’s perspective on Malaysia's Old Money style which went recently viral, and the importance of fostering refinement over judgment.

Prince Mateen is the embodiment of sophisticated style. His code: simplicity.

Photo: Prince Mateen's Instagram

Letter from Mr. Adam Rahman

Dear GC,

My name is Adam Rahman, and I am writing to address the recent discourse surrounding the Old Money style which went viral in Malaysia recently. As an avid observer of our country's evolving fashion landscape, I feel compelled to speak up about the unnecessary judgement and criticism directed at those embracing this style.

The recent wave of negative comments from netizens, established fashion designers, and writers targeting "Old Money" content creators is not just disappointing – it's emblematic of a deeper problem within our society. These creators, like Andika Putera, are merely exploring and interpreting a aesthetic that resonates with them, yet they face constant ridicule and criticisms of "trying too hard" or "being inauthentic."

When did personal style become so heavily policed? Since when did the society grant themselves the authority to dictate who can or cannot appreciate certain aesthetics? The beauty of fashion lies in its ability to evolve and be reinterpreted across different cultures and contexts. The Old Money style, while rooted in Western heritage, has found a unique expression in Malaysian culture, blending traditional elements with contemporary interpretations.

To those critics who seem more interested in imposing your judgement on people's personal style: What exactly are you points? The essence of style is personal expression and adhering to dress code, not exclusivity. Your negative comments about creators' appearances and supposed "lack of authenticity" reveal more about your own insecurities and lack of class than any perceived shortcomings in others.

The communities, content creators, and those who loved classic elegance style deserve encouragement as they explore their identity, and elevate their look, through style. Instead of tearing them down with mocking remarks about their backgrounds, their faces, or questioning their right to participate in certain lifestyles, why not celebrate their creativity and passion? Their interpretation of the Old Money style might differ from the traditional Western context, but isn't that precisely what makes personal style exciting – its ability to evolve and adapt?

It's particularly ironic that some of these critics, who once fought for their own creative freedom in Malaysia's fashion industry, are now becoming the very gatekeepers they once opposed. Have we forgotten that every established designer started somewhere, often by drawing inspiration from existing styles and making them their own?

The real problem isn't with young people exploring the Old Money style – it's with the toxic culture of judgment and exclusivity that the society and some industry veterans are perpetuating. In an era where we should be celebrating diversity and creative expression, this judgement feels lack of class but harmful to the growth of Malaysia's community.

I urge the society and industry veterans to reflect on their role in nurturing rather than stifling the next generation of men who wish to elevate their style. Let's create an environment where people feel free to explore their style without fear of ridicule or judgment. After all, isn't the purpose of style is to express oneself authentically, regardless of background or social status?

The Old Money style viral might be temporary, but the impact of the society words on these communities, young creators, and editors could last a lifetime. The society need to remember that, by mocking others, they are in reality mocking themselves. And that is very ungentlemanly.

Sincerely,

Adam Rahman

Answer by The Gentleman:

Hi Mr. Adam,

Thank you for your thoughtful letter addressing the ongoing discourse surrounding the Old Money style in Malaysia. Your words resonate deeply with us at GC, as they mirror our own journey and experiences over the past six years.

When we founded GC, we faced similar criticisms. Many questioned our authority to create a platform dedicated to gentlemanly pursuits. "How pretentious and poyo you are to define what a gentleman's code is" they criticized. The irony wasn't lost on us – the very act of questioning our legitimacy demonstrated the exact behavior that true gentlemen would avoid.

Let us be clear: we have never claimed to be perfect gentlemen, nor do we aimed to be the embodiment of an upper-class lifestyle. In fact, the very essence of our platform is rooted in the journey of continuous self-refinement. We are students, not masters. Despite some of our communities are royal descendant and some came from prominent families, we've consciously avoided positioning ourselves as arbiters of upper-class lifestyle. Our focus has always been on the pursuit of better character, not the projection of status, or "atas life".

Your observation about criticism reflecting more on the critic than the criticized is particularly on point. Throughout our journey, we've noticed an interesting pattern: while some local critics heavily criticized our authenticity, our international readers embrace our content for its substance and sincerity. This dichotomy perfectly illustrates Denzel Washington's wisdom about criticism often coming from those doing less, not more.

The "Old Money" style controversy you've highlighted is, in many ways, a mirror of our own experience. Just as we faced skepticism for creating a gentleman's platform back in those days, these content creators face judgment for exploring an aesthetic that resonates with them. Both scenarios reveal an unfortunate tendency in our society to be judgmental and gate-keep personal growth and expression.

What critics fail to understand is that elegance, like genuine character, isn't about perfect execution – it's about the sincere pursuit of refinement. When we see someone striving to elevate themselves, whether through style or substance, a true gentleman's response should be encouragement, not criticism. As we often say at GC, elegant people will naturally see elegance in others, while those fixated on finding fault merely broadcast their own insecurities.

Your call for nurturing rather than stifling creative expression aligns perfectly with our mission. We've learned through experience that the path to refinement is paved with many missteps – and that's perfectly acceptable. We are human. We are not perfect. What matters is the intention and the journey.

To the critics of the Old Money style, we pose this question: What serves our society better – mocking those who aspire to elevate themselves, or supporting their journey of self-improvement? The answer, we believe, is self-evident.

To the content creators, editors, and enthusiasts exploring this aesthetic: continue your journey with confidence. Remember that criticism often says more about the critic than the criticized. Your pursuit of refinement, whether through the Old Money style or any other form of self-expression, is your freedom and worthy of respect.

Let us all remember that true elegance lies not in perfection, but in the grace with which we handle both success and criticism. At GC, we will continue to champion those who strive for better, regardless of their starting point or chosen path.

P.S. "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

With respect and gratitude,

The Gentleman

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Open letter regarding "Old Money" style criticism in Malaysia

Discover Adam Rahman’s perspective on Malaysia's Old Money style which went recently viral, and the importance of fostering refinement over judgment.

Prince Mateen is the embodiment of sophisticated style. His code: simplicity.

Photo: Prince Mateen's Instagram

Letter from Mr. Adam Rahman

Dear GC,

The Old Money style viral might be temporary, but the impact of the society words on these communities, young creators, and editors could last a lifetime. The society need to remember that, by mocking others, they are in reality mocking themselves. And that is very ungentlemanly.

Sincerely,

Adam Rahman

Answer by The Gentleman:

Hi Mr. Adam,

Thank you for your thoughtful letter addressing the ongoing discourse surrounding the Old Money style in Malaysia. Your words resonate deeply with us at GC, as they mirror our own journey and experiences over the past six years.

To the critics of the Old Money style, we pose this question: What serves our society better – mocking those who aspire to elevate themselves, or supporting their journey of self-improvement? The answer, we believe, is self-evident.

Let us all remember that true elegance lies not in perfection, but in the grace with which we handle both success and criticism. At GC, we will continue to champion those who strive for better, regardless of their starting point or chosen path.

P.S. "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

With respect and gratitude,

The Gentleman

READ MORE: The Top 10 Old-Money Aesthetic Man in 2023: Class & Sophistication

READ MORE: The Top 10 "Old-Money" Style Men in 2024: Elegance & Class

Gentlemen's Code has your back! We're thrilled to announce our brand new section on our website: "Ask the Gentleman". Submit your burning questions on all things relationships, culture, style, and etiquette by emailing to: editor@gentlemanscodes.com.

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