KUALA LUMPUR – Yesterday, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac), officiated the launch of the Kebaya Heritage Design Competition (KHDC), where contestants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei will come together to establish the Kebaya as part of the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list for the upcoming year.
This initiative is intended to showcase the various styles of Kebaya from different countries while also promoting cultural tourism and preserving the traditional outfit for generations to come.
Hosted by the International Conference and Exhibition on World Cultures 2023 (ICWC ‘23), the competition highlights the history of Kebaya from its early developments and political influence from the 1910s up until today. With the commencement of KHDC, the organisers are looking to make Kebaya perceived as an armour of resilience with its various designs and textures – paving the way for it to be worn in modern-day fashion and opening the doors for the fashion industry in all the participating countries.
ICWC has made it their responsibility to preserve the tradition of wearing Kebaya amongst these countries in a fun and attractive way. To make the competition more exhilarating, the organisers will be bringing in celebrities who popularised the Kebaya in the 1960s-1990s to judge and ultimately influence the decision of the winners.
This competition provides a safe space for local and foreign contestants to explore their creative boundaries within their own cultures, history, and background. Having the participation of 500 designers from across Southeast Asia will hopefully bring a massive impact in obtaining global awareness of Kebaya heritage and maximise the chances of it being featured in the latest iteration of Unesco's cultural heritage list.
As Kebaya’s reputation speaks for itself, its design is spoken by the artist. This competition sheds light on the creativity and originality that the designer can bring with essentially cloth and thread.
The designs will be judged based on cultural significance and authenticity; moreover, points will be given to designs with appealing aesthetics that are able to capture each country’s essence respectively. It is a competition overall, but more than that, it signifies the difference in art and culture. A kebaya resembles elegance, grace, strength, and tradition; this event helped to make people aware of its significance and why we should preserve it.
KHDC became a platform for creative designers from these countries to showcase their craft and tell a story through their designs. Aside from the fashion industry, it has also had a positive impact on the tourism market. Not only will this event show an initiative to collaborate with neighbouring countries to improve bilateral relationships, but it will also increase cultural awareness, potential business possibilities, and networks across regions.
Khairul said “Being the host country of KHDC, I am honoured to have us all under one roof united to achieve the goal of recognising the significance of our culture and protecting it. I appreciate everyone coming together to participate in the KHDC as it casts a wider net for the Malaysian market on tourism, arts, and culture. The Malaysian government looks forward to doing all within our capabilities to take the lead in making the Kebaya our cultural asset in Unesco.”
Azmi Mustapha, President of ICWC said during his speech, “We are grateful towards everyone who participated in the creation of KHDC. We are confident that as a team, we are able to signify the importance of preserving and protecting our Malaysian heritage and make a positive impact for the younger generation.
"KHDC also serves as a platform to showcase the unique styles and designs of the kebaya from different perspectives of other cultures. As a Malaysian, I am proud to be working alongside partners who are aspiring to reach the same goal of creating a better cultural environment for generations to come. ”
To join the competition, contestants started registering on June 15 and are required to submit a sketch of their designs by July 30. The Top 50 finalists will display their Kebaya designs at the ICWC in early September, paired with a presentation of the details, information, and cultural significance leading to the final design.
The participating countries, celebrity judges, and attendees will evaluate the designs and share their feedback to decide who the winner will be. For the final round, 25 finalists will then attend the ICWC Gala Dinner on September 9th for the Fashion Show and Award Presentation where the top three winners will be announced.
For more information please visit: https://www.icwc.global/icwc-kebaya-design-competition/ – The Vibes, July 7, 2023
