Page 180 - The Guide To Sarawak

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THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Sarawak’s Vibrant Fashion Industry
by Vicky Fong
This East Malaysian state, with its indigenous culture and beautiful rainforest flora and fauna, has inspired many of its people to many artistic endeavours; not surprisingly, fashion is one of them. Borneo motifs, colours of nature, traditional weaving techniques, eco- fiber and natural dyes have been adapted into fashion produced by Sarawak’s homegrown designers. Some talented locals have even gone on to create fashion labels that have spread their wings across the South China Sea to Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
TOM ABANG SAUFI
Tom Abang Saufi (Dato’ Dayang Fatimah Abang Saufi) is one of Malaysia’s best-loved fashion designers, known especially for her fusion of the modern with traditional ethnic designs of Southeast Asia. Tom started designing soon after completing her fashion design course in London
in 1986. She was named Designer of the Year in 2004 and has won many other awards in her career. The Tom Abang Saufi (TAS) brand is best described as resort wear or high fashion Islamic chic. She designs her own hand-painted
batik fabrics, which are then created by a team of highly skilled craftspeople. To maintain the highest standards of quality, Tom is
involved in the process from start to finish according to Habsah Abang Saufi, Tom’s sister and the company’s Managing Director.
TAS is available at Parkson at Pavillion, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, and Merdeka Plaza, Kuching, Sarawak. Check online on Fashion Valet and Zalora.
Contact:
1, Jalan Eaton
50450 Kuala Lumpur
T (03) 2144 8271 Facebook: Tomsaufi Saufi habsahsaufi@gmail.com
VON JOLLY COUTURE
The award-winning VJC team of Raymond Jolly and Aaron Von Jolly are renowned for their use of Malaysian contemporary batik, transforming this art form into couture
Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi draws inspiration from a myriad of sources, but most especially and significantly from the rich cultural heritage of her home, Sarawak.