Malaysian Batik Wows Washingtonians

Malaysian Batik Wows Washingtonians

By Salmy Hashim

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Washingtonians were bowled over by the kaleidoscope of colours worn by models parading the Malaysian Batik Spring and Summer 2009 collection featuring designs by three top Malaysian fashion houses on the catwalk.

The full-house show, hosted by the Malaysian embassy here Thursday night, featured contemporary and bold designs by Innai Batik, Nazleen Noor and Anggun Collection brought in by Mybizcouncil, a Malaysian business networking group in the United States.

The embassy turned into a fashion house for 30 minutes as guests feasted their eyes on a dizzying array of colours on kaftans by Innai Batik; Sarawak-inspired batik and Pua fusion featured by Anggun; and innovative and contemporary designs by Nazleen Noor.

A bank of photographers filled the back of the Tun Hussein Hall, clicking away as the models struck their poses.

The memorable night of Malaysian culture and arts began with a journey through the Malaysian art world featuring rare pieces by renowned Malaysian artists acquired by the embassy over the last 50 years.

The exhibition, "Art Treasures from the Embassy," jointly organised by the embassy, the Asia Society and the Malaysia America Society, depicted the history and people of Malaysia evolving over the years from its basic rubber and tin industries to contemporary Malaysia.

Charge D'Affaires Ilango Karuppannan, said art was chosen as the theme to showcase Malaysia's culture and heritage because "art is the window to the soul of society."

He said the art works and artifacts revealed the multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious nature of Malaysia while placing the country squarely within Asia's cultural footprint.

-- BERNAMA