Kuala Lumpur - GUESTS at Batik Creations were impressed with the batik apparel worn by models during the fashion show, and had the opportunity to look at and try on more creations afterwards.
“Today`s event was held to promote and introduce the gallery to the diplomatic corps,” said Yayasan Budi Penyayang CEO Datuk Leela Mohd Ali of the event that was held at Galeri Seri Endon in Bukit Damansara.
“We want to let them know what batik is and what works we offer. It`s also an opportunity to get to know some of the designers better and find out more about batik.”
Batik Creations` guest of honour was the Foreign Affairs Minister`s wife Datin Seri Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin. Other guests included the Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general`s wife Puan Sri Norizan Sulaiman, Association of Wives of Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Malaysia president Adele Hutchinson, Australian High Commission third secretary Claire Elias, and representatives from the Japan, Australia, Finland, Ireland, Palestine, Singapore and Brunei embassies.
Leela also welcomed her guests to the upcoming Malaysian International Batik Festival which will be held from Nov 23 to Dec 2 at various locations in Kuala Lumpur.
Festival activities include a batik bazaar, batik fashion shows, Children`s Batik Fashion Contest, Family Batik Design Competition, Family Batik Hunt, Batik Fun Walk for Cancer, Batik Expression 2007 Gala Show, local designers` batik creation display, batik convention and exhibition, and public viewing of the Piala Seri Endon participants` creations. (For full details visit www.penyayang.org.my)
Galeri Seri Endon was envisioned and inspired by Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, the late wife of the Prime Minister, who was well-known for her passion for batik.
The gallery offers batik products like clothing, handicrafts, soft furnishings and home decoration items handcrafted by the winners of the Piala Seri Endon – the most prestigious batik design competition in Malaysia.
Activities lined up for guests at Batik Creations included a talk on Discover Malaysia Batik by Piala Seri Endon soft furnishing category chief judge Eddie Yap and them trying out `tjanting` (drawing wax designs onto fabric).
The highlight was the Batik Fashion Parade which featured fashionable creations by seven designers – Masrina Abdullah, Azizi Hassan, Karl Ng, Von Jolly, Sharifah Maheran, Azhar Samin and Suhairi Marlina.
The female and male models strutted in clothes that ranged from contemporary baju kurung, baju kedah and shirts to pretty pantsuits and dresses with a batik twist.
“The designs are appealing to the modern eye, flattering and wearable, which would make them a major commercial success,” said Adele, who is the wife of Irish Ambassador Eugene Hutchinson.
“Clothes are very central to diplomatic life; what you wear has to be comfortable, decorous and fashionable. We do see ourselves wearing batik at functions, whether local or overseas.
“The association members who are here have all given positive feedback about today`s wonderful event, and they were particularly excited about one of the cocktail dresses.
“I hope to organise something under the association, maybe a gathering with a fashion show featuring the gallery`s creations, to showcase them to all our members.”
Adele said she saw a few creations that she intended to try, and would return to the gallery for more browsing and shopping.
Source: thestar.com.my (23 November 2007)
