KUCHING: Incorporating Borneo motifs into apparel and accessories will help to keep the culture alive.
However, with over 30 ethnic groups in Sarawak, many people may be unaware of the meaning and symbolism behind these designs.
Neng Kho Razali, 36, an entrepreneur and fashion designer who has been participating in fashion shows and exhibitions since 2016, works with Borneo motifs while emphasising the significance and themes in each of her design.
Each pattern, according to Neng, has its own meaning.
“The patterns on the fabric are like historical recordings passed down from generation to generation.
“Looking at the pattern is like reading a story from a long time ago,” she said.
According to Neng, while Borneo motifs are frequently used in the local community, some people use it without knowing the meaning behind it.
As a result, she said that it is difficult to determine whether the motif used is the original pattern or a new design.
Neng has also taken part in Sarawak Theatre of Clothes (Rainforest Fringe Festival 2017), Gala International Fashion Show (World Ikat Textile Symposium 2017), and BIMP-EAGA Budaya Fashion Show 2019 and has debut numerous collections during the Malaysia Fashion Week.
She has also created Sarawak Borneo apparel designs for a Beijing-based client who is a restaurant entrepreneur.
“The restaurant not only sells Sarawakian food, but it also incorporates Sarawakian designs in its interior design and decoration.
“As a surprise, I was requested to design uniforms and specific textiles for the restaurant workers,” she explained.
Neng also teamed with well-known singer Alena Murang on the video clip ‘Midang Midang’, which won the Best Styling Award at the Buenos Aires 2020 Video Music Festival.
“Through the partnership, I produced a headpiece for Alena which carries an insignia of the Kenyalang bird, which symbolises Sarawak’s identity,” Neng said.
She also expressed her desire that the Borneo apparel design will be kept close to the original and that its meaning will be understood first before being incorporated into a design.
“Hopefully, the Borneo identity will become more widely known and recognised around the world.
“I will keep the storytelling aspect on the fabric patterns and use Borneo motifs in all of my fashion creations,” she stated.
