ETHICAL fashion platform Dia Guild have announced their collaboration with exclusive local designer, Khoon Hooi, for their Raya pop-up store this Saturday, April 9th. Held at APW Bangsar, Dia aims to champion Southeast Asia’s culture and creativity with a greater appreciation of the masterpieces they have worked on with love and passion to create.
The Raya Pop-Up store is set to showcase Dia’s new traditional and handcrafted jewellery and accessory collections for Raya, along with Khoon Hooi’s latest Bespoke Raya and lifestyle collections, where he infused Asian culture into festive clothing with a contemporary twist. Some of the designs featured in this event are brand new prints of Khoon Hooi’s popular Chiasa bags and Dia’s new Raya collection of one-of-a-kind obi silk bags from Sophia by Shirley. Khoon Hooi’s bespoke Raya collection with tailor-made kebayas, as well as Dia’s full range of jewellery brands, will also be on show.
Founded by three women, Aisha Hassan, Kylie Francis, and Alia Farouk, Dia Guild is a platform where Southeast Asian brands can connect with a discerning global audience who will appreciate their creations, be it clothing, accessories, handmade gifts, and more. Dia is passionate about preserving Asean heritage crafts for future generations.
One of the co-founders of Dia, Aisha Hassan, said, “Southeast Asia is an impressively diverse region brimming with traditional craftsmanship and artisan know-how. However, with the rise of fast fashion and mass production, the value of artisanship has become underappreciated, leaving many local boutique brands and artisans struggling to gain international recognition, let alone make a living.
"At the same time, fast fashion companies or conglomerates with access to huge budgets are dominating the digital marketing and social media spheres, making it even harder for small businesses, including independent artisans, to compete and have their stories heard.
"Craft legacies are in jeopardy because of this, and it’s one of the core reasons why we created Dia, a platform where Southeast Asian artisans can come together to share their stories and have their labours of love appreciated.”
Reviving a forgotten past with a modern twist
Malaysia has one of the most developed and active art scenes in the region. It is home to some of the most exciting and interesting artisanal brands who have developed their bodies of work within the country, the region, as well as in other continents. There is practically every bit of Asia to be found here, as the country’s population is made up of primarily three groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indians.
As a result, the diversity of Malaysian artisans is reflected in this composition, as one might expect. Malaysia is also known for its high-quality songket and batik fabrics, as well as basketry, fabric threads, and pearls among other things. For generations, these cultural treasures have been woven and created by hand without losing their style or quality.
When it comes to their relationships and interactions with fashion and art, however, they are never properly found or credited in their own right, on their own terms, or in their historical narratives. What happens to this art and craft when it is presented as fashion, and what implications does it have that Malaysian artisans frequently lose their identities in the name of international commercialism? When it comes to Raya designs, the majority of them have already been influenced by Western trends, losing their cultural “touch”.
“We wanted to make this collaboration happen because, far too often, Malaysian traditional artisanship or culture are almost forgotten due to fast fashion, unfinished legacies, and evolving modern trends. As a designer, Khoon Hooi has long promoted craftsmanship while drawing on his Malaysian roots, and this latest Raya collection is no exception – we’re pleased to come together to not only showcase Khoon Hooi’s newest work, but also Dia’s thoughtfully curated selection of accessories and jewellery brands from around the region.
"We hope that by working together, we will be able to reclaim attention and recognition for such artisanship, and visitors will be delighted to see the synergies between both our brands in preserving Malaysia’s diverse legacy and also encouraging people to buy locally and regionally,” explains the Dia team. – The Vibes, April 8, 2022
