Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/01/2011 -- After three months of Esquire Malaysia’s “Best Dressed Man Malaysia” competition, one that saw contestants bear the full weight of a panel of fashion experts, winners were announced in dramatic style at Suria KLCC. With prizes totaling RM10,000, it was as exciting a competition as it gets.

Esquire Malaysia launched it’s version of the popular Esquire UK’s “Britain’s Best Dressed Real Man” this year, a contest that saw contestants send their pictures looking stylish and fashionable to be critiqued by a panel of judges. They then were invited to come to two judging competitions where they were interviewed by the judges—Esquire’s editor-in-chief Sam Coleman; Mark Wills from Stylekandi, the new premier blog for fashion and style; Nicholas Ng, Esquire brand ambassador and Garbagelapsap fashion blogger; Lim Fang Heng of Wardrobe; Leong Wong, fashion editor for Esquire and Vijay Binwani of Lustro—at the LUSTRO and Wardrobe locales, two of the sponsors.

In total, the judges assessed Over forty entrants based on merit and personal style. “It was an amazing turn-out, I was really impressed by the level of fashion knowledge and confidence. It bodes well for the development of men’s fashion in Malaysia, something that Esquire is championing as the foremost men’s fashion and lifestyle title,” said Coleman of the competition.

Besides the prizes of a bespoke suit by Wardrobe worth 7,500, the LUSTRO vouchers of RM1000 each and Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve bottles worth RM303 each, the final three and the two honourable mentions had a photoshoot that appears in the December Esquire.

Rudolph Christopher La Faber, Advertising Creative/DJ, 26, was crowned as Malaysia’s Best Dressed Man and received a Wardrobe bespoke suit and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. “Rudy was incredibly impressive with his style sense, the depth of his knowledge and his full-on passion for men’s style,” said Sam Coleman, Editor-in-Chief of Esquire Malaysia.

Ahmad Farhan Asmawar, Executive at Oil & Gas Industry, 30, was the first runner-up and received prizes from clothier LUSTRO and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. “I can really subscribe to Farhan’s style. He has that whole ‘preppy’ summer thing pegged down. It’s fun, carefree, and smart. His look can easily be related to for our climes as we have eternal summers,” exclaimed Leong Wong, Fashion Editor of Esquire Malaysia.

Ivan Leong, Managing Director, 27, was crowned the second runner-up and received prizes from clothier LUSTRO and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. “It’s sprezzatura ... as much of care, attention, and detail that Ivan has indulged in his look, it is pure style, clothes that one would wear,” stated Lim Fang Heng ,C.E.O. of Wardrobe.

Ricky Saikia, Senior Inbound Manager, 24, and Billy Tea, Political Analyst, 25, both received an honourary mention

The Best Dressed Man Malaysia is based on a key fashion pillar in the UK, Britain’s Best Dressed Real Man, and has run to much fanfare in London. As such, it asks normal, non-celebrity men to send in their photos, demonstrate their fashion sense, be that with luxury brands or just interesting combinations that spell style. “A very important aspect we want to convey is that style is not about money: it’s simply the best of what every man can afford, imagination and—most importantly—attitude,” said Coleman.