Hatta Dolmat’s Hari Raya collection embodies the classic, chic, practical and modern contemporary
TESCO’S collaboration with designer Hatta Dolmat sees a range of traditional outfits which will be a hit with the young.
With ribbon details and plain kurung matched with striped sarong, the pieces are easy to wear and practical, suitable for the long days of the celebration.
“This is the third consecutive year we have collaborated with a local designer to offer an exclusive range,” said Janice Chan, Tesco clothing director.
Hatta Dolmat, who was named Most Popular Fashion Designer Awards in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2011, has created a 19-piece collection which embodies classic, chic, practical and modern elements..
The collection features unique combination of bright colours and floral printed fabrics, while others have fashion-forward looks with stylish lines and patterns, including manipulation of the latest trend of classic Hari Raya pieces, injected with Hatta’s signature.
“The use of colours in the collection personifies a woman’s characteristics, from the traditional to the contemporary,” Hatta says.
“The lively colours such as turquoise, green, pink, blue, purple, yellow and red combined with crepe fabrics which are lightweight and comfortable bring a festive mood for Raya celebrations.”
The collection has modern baju kurung, kaftan and jubah. Prices start from RM199 at selected Tesco outlets.
Checks on the feminine side
THE traditional dress is so easy to wear, especially if it consists simply of a top and a skirt. If you can merge the look with your existing wardrobe you can really simplify life.
For this Raya, Mayfair is big on checks, taking them quite out of context. Checks, after all, are traditionally associated with the male sarong.
But here, soft seersucker checks and voile checks become stylish feminine tops instead, suggestive of the baju Kedah.
There are also tops in stripes and outsized florals that evoke a Japanese feel. Worn with Mayfair’s popular pull-on slinky sarung, these hybrids are interestingly contemporary.
These slinky sarong can be pulled up to the chest to double as dresses and kebaya-style wrap tops unbutton as jackets.
Full collection and past designs at www.facebook.com/mayfairdesigns.
Mayfair is on 3rd Floor, BB Plaza, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL. Call 03-2145 9936.
Simple gets a touch of glamour
FOR Nafyana founder and designer Liyana Ghaus, the combination of knowing what customers want and understanding market trends set her brand apart from the rest.
For Raya, she thinks most customers prefer something relaxed yet stylish.
“I have created designs that are comfortable and simple to wear when visiting relatives and friends yet have touches of elegance and glamour,” she says.
“You’ll find, in the Nafyana collection, a modern version of kurung Kedah top paired with sequined skirt, draped chiffon and draped satin kurung, stretchable lace kebaya and bold-coloured straight cut kaftans to name a few.”
She founded Nafyana in 2008 with its first high street brand Nana G., famous for casual and night outfits. In 2009, she created a Muslimah line called Nafyana, now renamed Nafyana Hijab.
“Details are important to add a unique touch to the outfit and quality of workmanship will ensure customers trust that we offer good products. Price range is also vital, as customers are open to more choices these days and will most likely not want to spend so much on one outfit.”
Liyana says it’s exciting to see global fashion trends incorporated in traditional wears such as the studs, colour blocking, cape and peplum.
“One of the biggest trends this Raya is emphasising the shoulders with net or lace shoulder and embellishments. Printed fabrics is also big this year. I like combining lace with printed fabric,” she says.
Most people will wear a two-piece outfit especially for the first and second days of Raya but dresses and kaftans are still popular.
“Many hold open house and this culture extends throughout the month. So with plenty of visiting to do, women generally will wear different styles of clothes.”
Monochrome is also big this year. “I’ve started adding black and white to my collection as well as pastel colours like icy pink and soft green,” she adds.
The Nafyana Raya 2014 collection is available at nafyana.com, Nana G. Bangsar Shopping Centre and fashionvalet.com. Prices range from RM400 to RM900.
For womenof strength
PERHAPS nothing says more about a Raya collection than one which focuses on women empowerment and salutes women who lead, nurture and raise our next generation.
This is what Datuk Bernard Chandran offers in his Hari Raya collection themed Wanita Berkuasa. He paid tribute to women in power — confident, fashion-forward, successful yet humble and extremely desirable.
Modernising the traditional kurung and kebaya is his focus. The desire to push boundaries has resulted in evolutionary contemporary designs year after year.
Aesthetically infused with international flavour, this is the outcome of raising the bar in traditional designs and combining them with cutting-edge urban aesthetics.
The clothes are tailored with a carefully engineered cut and craft — precisely what Chandran is known for.
Leather and linen are choice fabrics, while block and pop colours dominate this year’s collection. Sushma Veera