The Hollywood celebrity, who was in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 15th Petronas Malaysia Formula 1 Grand Prix, was at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, last week as the guest of honour during the launch of The Starhill Gallery Luxury Channel. The crowd was kept on edge as Kimora was two hours late (citing a wardrobe malfunction) for the event, but made up for it with her charm and patiently posed with fans for the photo session later.

The Starhill Gallery Luxury Channel is a new multimedia platform that aims to provide “compelling, high quality videos, trendsetting online tutorials and showcase a range of high-end retail products available at Starhill Gallery”. The audience will have access to a full range of expertise and experience that Starhill Gallery has to offer from the comfort of their homes.

“Starhill Gallery was named by The New York Times as one of the places in the world one must visit and the channel offers everyone the chance to connect with Malaysia’s iconic shopping centre in the world,” said Yulia Dolmatova, PR and marketing director of YTL Land. “All the events, promotions, special interviews and the very latest fashion will be made available to everyone at their fingertips.”

YTL Land and Development, and YTL Hotels and Properties vice-president Joseph Yeoh, who introduced the online channel to the public, was swift to respond when a member of the media asked if Kimora’s online products currently seen would also be made available on the channel.

Amid the friendly banter, Yeoh quipped that it was definitely something that they could look into in the near future, especially encouraged by Kimora’s positive support.

The online channel will feature five different segments which will broadcast its own programmes, including “Fashion,” ‘‘Watches and agate beads,” “Health and Beauty,” “Dining” and “Home and Living”. All the latest collections, fashion shows and events will be featured on the “Fashion” channel, while more than 120 different watch and jewellery brands located on Adorn floor will be showcased on the “Watches and turquoise beads” channel. The city’s finest dining options are featured on “Dining” while indulgent experiences will be seen on “Health and Beauty” channel. The “Home and Living” segment will give insights and tips on how one’s home and lifestyle can be spiced up.

Kimora, who has already been here several times, professes that “Malaysia is her second home”. She even owns an apartment at the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur. Unlike other celebrities who are usually paid to made an appearance, she stressed that she chose to come here (because she loves it here so much) and showed off the few Malay phrases she had learnt along the way. “I hope to be back here for the Islamic Fashion Festival,” said Kimora, who sometimes tweets in Malay, with some help from her fans.

Her latest foray is new reality spin-off Kimora: House Of Fab which chronicles her experiences in the office. “Fashion isn’t just about being a model. There are many other parts to it which people often don’t see — the designing, technical side, graphics, marketing, PR — all that goes into the making of a big brand (that’s what the show is about).”

She also talked about her recently launched skincare line called Shinto Clinical.

“People in the United States don’t get what I’m talking about, but over here (in Malaysia), people understand. It has ingredients like crushed pearl, mushroom and botanicals — all the natural ingredients that I grew up with. The products look into protection, hydration, anti-ageing — everything I need at this time of my life to keep me looking the best version of what I looked like 20 years ago!”

Shinto means “of the gods” and is made for the masses, targeted at busy mothers/businesswomen and the woman-on-the-go, whom she says, “faces similar challenges no matter which part of the world they’re from”.