Batik, tenun and songket turn heads in Paris - Bernama News, 4 June 2014
PARIS: The lavish batik, royal weave of Pahang tenun and exquisite modern songket took centrestage at the Eleganza fashion show held in the French capital here.
The traditional and unique textiles were featured by four of Malaysia’s top designers in their exclusive collections, which provided international fashion designers and aficionados a glimpse of Malaysia’s haute couture potential.
Radzuan Radziwill’s collection “Faire de Butik”, Syaiful Baharim’s “Enchanting Pua”, Khoon Hooi’s “Gardens of Versailles” and Datuk Tom Abang Saufi’s “Urbanulu” were paraded by models on the runway and greeted with applause.
The uniqueness of the traditional textiles was transformed into stylish contemporary and wearable beautiful jackets made from quality batik, haute couture wear as well as pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear).
The Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, hosted the fashion show.
The show, which was held at Le Pre Catelan in Paris yesterday in conjunction with the 2014 Global Summit of Women, was attended by 300 invited guests from the fashion industry.
Also present were Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Malaysian ambassador to France Tan Sri Ismail Omar.
The show, organised by Matrade, Tourism Malaysia and Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), was a good platform to promote the uniqueness and variety of quality local textiles.
In her speech, Rosmah said she hoped the effort in showcasing Malaysian textiles would be well received and appreciated, especially by the French fashion houses.
“I can think of no better place to showcase our unique Malaysian styles and heritage in fashion than in Paris.
“These fabrics are part of the Malaysian heritage. They are steeped in tradition with a history that dates back centuries. We are proud to have kept the tradition alive,” she said.
Bridal fashion designer for Diamant Blanc based here, Kim Ktorza, said she was impressed with the Malaysian designers’ creativity and ideas which were reflected in the traditional materials of batik, tenun and songket.
“This is the first time I’m seeing Malaysian batik and I like it so much. I hope we can collaborate one day for batik to be introduced in my collection,” she said.
Siti Hasbiah Ali from Pua Indah Sdn Bhd said the showcase was an effort taken by the Government to bring Malaysian traditional textiles to the international market.
“This is the right place to showcase our fashion products,” she said. — Bernama.
