Datin Winnie “WOW” Loo
“WOW” Icon of Style & Empowerment
True Grit : From holding a pair of scissors to relying on crutches to handling the mike with ease – it is no wonder that this much admired Brand Legend has been unaimously named the “WOW Icon of Style & Empowerment.
BY YVONNE YOONG
Being glamorous all her life, Datin Winnie Loo has always associated the word “wow” with magical moments that “wow” her.
So, when she was unaimously voted the “‘WOW’ Icon of Style & Empowerment” by the working committee of the Branding Association of Malaysia (BAM), (though she insisted that others be considered for the title), the award ranked as another “wow” moment for her.
This recognition was even sweeter considering she had to struggle just to get back on her feet, as literally speaking – she had sustained a hairline crack in her hip bone from a bad fall while playing pickleball just three months ago.
“I’m a person who uses the word ’wow’ a lot. And, I just use it as a word. Somehow, when I see things that are beautiful, I say ‘wow!’ When somebody does something stunning, I say ‘wow’. And, ‘WOW’ Conference and Award 2025) happened,” she enthused.
Taking to the stage like a duck to water, “W” to her represents “wonder”.
“I wonder how all the ‘wow’ moments happened for me. But, when you put all of your mind and effort together, wonders happen,” she shared.
Working with a pair of scissors for a living, but having had to use crutches for awhile – she has exercised her faith muscles to regain strength to stand tall again, and finds herself holding the mike more often than not.
Reflecting on why she pushes herself to “do all this”, her confidence in recognising her own strength which is her “wow” factor is the answer.
“Exactly a few weeks ago, I was walking around in crutches. And, I’m not shy to tell you I’m still needing it for support now,” she shared.
She attributes her “Wow” moment to her confidence in daring to stand on stage in front of everyone, despite not being fully recovered.
Instead of just being confined at home – she was even attending events dressed in lovely evening gowns with crutches.
Her sense of palpable iron-willed determination belies her petite frame in that in this “unique moment of adversity” – despite having sustained a hair line crack in her hip bone – she has recovered all within three months and is able to take to stage and even travel overseas.
“That to me is strength. I believe that I can, and that I will do it,” she quipped.
Taking the audience through her presentation, the photograph of herself as a young impressionable hairdresser posing outside of Vidal Sasoon captured that moment in time in which she was curious as to what her future would be like.
“What was I meant to be?” she reminised. Fate has been kind to her though she also went through a series of challenges. But overall, her life’s journey has been nothing short of “Wow”.
From opening her first “very small” hair salon in 1979 – to tending the tresses of the world’s most illustrious stars – among them
Hong Kong Hollywood star Chow Yun Fatt & heartthrob Andy Lau as well as Michelle Mei Suet and Tan Sri Michele Yeoh, etc. With many illustrious stars having sat on her chair – she ponders back on “How could a hairdresser go that far?”
“Looking back, I think I ‘wowed’ a lot of people. I still think of those ‘wow’ moments today. I used to think I’m ordinary but ‘O’ stands for ‘Outstanding’. And, I stand in front of all of you as I’m bold, I’m different and I’m unique,” she added.
“I like to be that ordinary someone who stands out. I’m always worthy of a lot of things and I’ve given a lot of opportunities to groom people for the future. And, many of them are not even in my committee. When they are worthy of my help, I’m happy that this is a reality. For those who made it happen, you are really worthy of my time with you,” she added.
In her characteristically humble manner, she gives this advice: “I believe that when you keep on doing what you love and be passionate about it – then you will definitely win a lot of hearts.”
Testament to this is the overwhelming amount of publicity which has found its way to her – be it in high-profile English and Chinese societal magazines or the string of awards she has won along the way.
“I have a book called ‘A Cut Above: True Grit and A Pair of Scissors. I feel that if we have a heart to do what we do with purpose, with God in the centre of everything, then sometimes blessings that you don’t ask for just comes,” she elaborated.
Armed with her pair of scissors and sheer determination and a lot of sassy elegance, this “‘WOW’ Icon of Style and Empowerment” has long gone where others have yet to tread: Styling hair in international projects and having been an ambassador with all the big brands.
But, perhaps the most palpable achievement of all is staying relevant through all the seasons of life, and even more so in this ever changing age of fickle trends and changing tastes.
She will most certainly be a tough act to follow having set a benchmark standard so high, and so “WOW” that “True Grit and a pair of scissors” will remain her iconic story showcasing that wonders are possible when you believe in the power of your dreams.
Taking to the stage like a duck to water, “W” to her represents “wonder”.
“I wonder how all the ‘wow’ moments happened for me. But, when you put all of your mind and effort together, wonders happen,” she shared.
Working with a pair of scissors for a living, but having had to use crutches for awhile – she has exercised her faith muscles to regain strength to stand tall again, and finds herself holding the mike more often than not.
Reflecting on why she pushes herself to “do all this”, her confidence in recognising her own strength which is her “wow” factor is the answer.
“Exactly a few weeks ago, I was walking around in crutches. And, I’m not shy to tell you I’m still needing it for support now,” she shared.
She attributes her “Wow” moment to her confidence in daring to stand on stage in front of everyone, despite not being fully recovered.
Instead of just being confined at home – she was even attending events dressed in lovely evening gowns with crutches.
Her sense of palpable iron-willed determination belies her petite frame in that in this “unique moment of adversity” – despite having sustained a hair line crack in her hip bone – she has recovered all within three months and is able to take to stage and even travel overseas.
“That to me is strength. I believe that I can, and that I will do it,” she quipped.
Taking the audience through her presentation, the photograph of herself as a young impressionable hairdresser posing outside of Vidal Sasoon captured that moment in time in which she was curious as to what her future would be like.
“What was I meant to be?” she reminised. Fate has been kind to her though she also went through a series of challenges. But overall, her life’s journey has been nothing short of “Wow”.
From opening her first “very small” hair salon in 1979 – to tending the tresses of the world’s most illustrious stars – among them
Hong Kong Hollywood star Chow Yun Fatt & heartthrob Andy Lau as well as Michelle Mei Suet and Tan Sri Michele Yeoh, etc. With many illustrious stars having sat on her chair – she ponders back on “How could a hairdresser go that far?”
“Looking back, I think I ‘wowed’ a lot of people. I still think of those ‘wow’ moments today. I used to think I’m ordinary but ‘O’ stands for ‘Outstanding’. And, I stand in front of all of you as I’m bold, I’m different and I’m unique,” she added.
“I like to be that ordinary someone who stands out. I’m always worthy of a lot of things and I’ve given a lot of opportunities to groom people for the future. And, many of them are not even in my committee. When they are worthy of my help, I’m happy that this is a reality. For those who made it happen, you are really worthy of my time with you,” she added.
In her characteristically humble manner, she gives this advice: “I believe that when you keep on doing what you love and be passionate about it – then you will definitely win a lot of hearts.”
Testament to this is the overwhelming amount of publicity which has found its way to her – be it in high-profile English and Chinese societal magazines or the string of awards she has won along the way.
“I have a book called ‘A Cut Above: True Grit and A Pair of Scissors. I feel that if we have a heart to do what we do with purpose, with God in the centre of everything, then sometimes blessings that you don’t ask for just comes,” she elaborated.
Armed with her pair of scissors and sheer determination and a lot of sassy elegance, this “‘WOW’ Icon of Style and Empowerment” has long gone where others have yet to tread: Styling hair in international projects and having been an ambassador with all the big brands.
But, perhaps the most palpable achievement of all is staying relevant through all the seasons of life, and even more so in this ever changing age of fickle trends and changing tastes.
She will most certainly be a tough act to follow having set a benchmark standard so high, and so “WOW” that “True Grit and a pair of scissors” will remain her iconic story showcasing that wonders are possible when you believe in the power of your dreams.
