Dressed to look the part

2009/07/24

SUZIEANA UDA NAGU

Looking good is part and parcel of the entertainment industry.
An RTM image consultant tells SUZIEANA UDA NAGU how artistes
discover their personal styles

WHEN Mazuan Bah Gajah auditioned for a popular reality talent show last year, he came away with valuable nuggets of wisdom.

“You must be patient as it may be hours before your name is called. Apart from that, you must pick the right song. Equally important is dressing the part. The judges will think that you’re not serious enough about the contest if you show up in T-shirts and jeans,” says the 19-year-old Orang Asli youth from Semai tribe.

He did not go far in that audition. But when the trials for Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s Juara Asyik 2009, a singing competition for Orang Asli youths, came along in May, Mazuan came better prepared.

He beat more than 400 other aspiring singers to be in the Top Eight of Juara Asyik 2009 competition happening tomorrow at the Auditorium Perdana, Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur (see page Y1).

Like it or not, looking good is part and parcel of the entertainment industry. Top entertainers put as much — if not more — thought into their wardrobe as they do their songs before going on tour.

Image consultant Shashah (seated left) works with image designer Jariah Mahadi to pick the right outfit for Noraliza Iskandar Zulkarnain (right).

Beyonce Knowles hired designer Thierry Mugler, famous in the 1970s and 1980s for his catwalk shows which featured models in “extreme, fetishist-look designs in PVC, leather and metal, inspired by robots, cartoon heroines, space-goddesses and biker-chicks” for her United Kingdom concert which kicked off in May.
Singer Katy Perry, who is also known for her eccentric fashion sense, “jumps around” in her stage costume to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.

If you are aspiring talent hoping to penetrate the entertainment industry but have yet to discover your personal style, it is best to consult a professional.

Finalists of talent contests such as Mazuan would be referred to a resident stylist hired by the television show or station, says RTM image consultant Shashah.

“Before a talent show begins, the stylist will meet with the producer to discuss the show’s concept. As Juara Asyik 2009 is meant to appeal to the young, my responsibility is to dress the contestants up in clothes and accessories that reflect the theme and songs that they have chosen.

“I try to sit down with the contestants to study their personal styles, body shapes and song choices. The outfit that is picked in the end should be a blend of the three elements,” says Shasha.

The former model chooses a bejewelled sleeveless grey mini dress, a black baby tee, laced up tights and black high heels, topped with a fedora for Wah Moliz Bah Long, 18, to suit the two peppy numbers she will be performing; Elyana’s Kalis Rindu and Bintang (by Long Exsan Long).

As Noraini Abu will be singing Yuna’s Dan Sebenarnya and a Temiar song Epoujh (OTG), Shashah and her team think a red lumberjack chequered dress shirt worn belted over tights would be the best ensemble for the 18-year-old.

It is slightly tougher to decide on Noraliza Iskandar Zulkarnain’s outfit based on her song choices Noraniza Idris’ Dikir Putri and ballad Tinggal Kenangan (by Kak Ham). For now, Shashah settles for a pair of black harem pants, a red corset, a black bolero and heels.

She admits that deciding on the right outfit for stage is a long process. A stylist can consider herself lucky if she has ample time to meet the contestants and assess their styles.

“Ideally, the stylist should be in contact with the contestants for a few months. Only then can you study and memorise their styles.