DID SHE FLY ON GOVT'S JET AGAIN? ROSMAH hosts fashion show in Paris

The lavish batik, royal weave of Pahang tenun and exquisite modern songket took centre stage at the Eleganza fashion show in the capital of innovations in fashion on Wednesday.

The traditional and unique textiles were featured by four of Malaysia's top designers in their exclusive collections, which provided international fashion designers and aficionados a glimpse into the potential of haute couture in Malaysia.

Radzuan Radziwill's collection "Faire de Butik", Syaiful Baharim's "Enchanting Pua", Khoon Hooi's "Gardens of Versailles" and Tom Abang Saufi's "Urbanulu" were paraded by models on the runway and greeted with applause.

The uniqueness of the traditional textiles were transformed into stylish contemporary and wearable beautiful jackets made from quality batik, haute couture wear as well as pret-a-porter.

The Malaysian prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor hosted the Eleganza fashion show. It was attended by 300 invited guests from the fashion industry in Paris at Le Pre Catelan in Paris, France, in conjunction with the 2014 Global Summit of Women.

Also present were Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (left), Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim and Malaysian ambassador to France Ismail Omar.

The show organised by Matrade, Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) was a good platform to promote the uniqueness and variety of quality local textiles.

In her welcoming speech, Rosmah said she hoped the efforts in showcasing Malaysian fabrics would be well received and appreciated, especially by the French fashion houses.

"I can think of no better place to showcase our unique Malaysian styles and heritage in fashion than in Paris.

"These fabrics are part of the Malaysian heritage. They are steeped in tradition with a history that dates back centuries. We are proud to have kept the tradition alive," she said.

Meanwhile, bridal fashion designer for Diamant Blanc, based in Paris, Kim Ktorza was impressed with the Malaysian designers' creativity and ideas which were reflected in the traditional materials of batik, tenun and songket.

"This is the first time I'm seeing Malaysian batik and I like it so much. I hope we can collaborate one day for the batik to be introduced in my collection," she told Bernama after the fashion show.

Siti Hasbiah Ali from Pua Indah Sdn Bhd said the showcase was an effort taken by the government to bring Malaysian traditional textiles into the international market.

"This is the right place to showcase our fashion products," she said. - Bernama