(04-12-2007)
Batik chic: Models showcase designs during a batik competition in Kuala Lumpur. — VNS Photo Hoai Nam
KUALA LUMPUR — Striking a balance between fashion and tradition, designers Lucas Lim Boon Leong and Zoe Tan Been Ting bagged first prize at the grand finale of the Piala Seri Endon batik design competition on Sunday.
The annual contest, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was attended by Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong and representatives of event organiser Yayasan Budi Penyayang.
The duo pocketed a cash prize of 30,000 Ringgit (US$8,942) for their collection during a ceremony that marked the culmination of the week-long event celebrating the traditional Malaysian technique of dyeing fabric using removable wax.
"We are so happy to win the fashion contest today. Our collection muses on the daily life of the people and the part of it that is batik arts. I want to make a new batik style with a new design," Lucas says.
Batik will create a bridge between commercial and traditional arts because it can only be done by hand and takes a lot of time, the young designer says.
"I spent four years studying the art and three months making my ideas come to life in my garments. It’s very difficult to make batik a commodity when people need high quality and special products."
Organisers also presented prizes for the soft furnishing and handicraft designs on display at the exhibition centre.
All the winners’ designs will go on show at Galeri Seri Endon in Kuala Lumpur.
The competition aims to encourage new ideas in batik design to promote batik products to the global market.
This is the fifth year Malaysia has held the design contest. — VNS
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