KUALA LUMPUR: A keen interest in Malay songket and traditional costumes has won a designer a ticket to a fashion show in New York.
Adli Afandi, 38, who was announced the winner for the Datuk Raja Ropiah Designer’s Award this year, said his designs was inspired by the traditional costumes of the Minangkabau and Perak womenfolk.
“The Malay songket has a very sophisticate gold thread embroidery that is very majestic.
“It is usually worn during special occasions such as at weddings. I hope I can further promote the Malay songket at the international level,” he said.
Adli, from Pontian, Johor, walked home with a trophy and a RM26,000 grant, which will allow him participate in the Couture Fashion Week New York (CFWNY) this year together with 15 other local fashion designers under the Persatuan Wanita Bumiputera Dalam Perniagaan dan Profesyen Malaysia also known as Peniagawati.
Peniagawati president, Datuk Azlin Ahmad Shaharbi, said the fashion show, which is scheduled to take place on Sept 7 at Times Square, New York City, is part of the Malaysia Fashion and Business Mission to New York 2018.
Azlin said that the mission will involve a number of entrepreneurs from various field including food and beverages and lifestyle apart from fashion.
“Peniagawati hopes to promote and further expand Malaysian products to the United States through the programme.
“This is in line with the government’s policy to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get involved in export market to boost their business and contribute to the country’s economy.
“This year’s mission is also based on our success in the previous year where we received great response,” she said.
The fashion show competition was also held in conjunction with the Peniagawati’s Members Day during which association celebrated its 38th anniversary.
Peniagawati also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Datuk Dr Maznah Hamid, the founder and former executive chairman of Securiforce Group and the association’s third president.