Macramè design wins window display competition
BOLON and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam recently crowned the Macramé-themed design by UiTM students Ainun Nursuhaiza, Siti Nur Solihah and Siti Nurin Amila as the winner in the BolonxUiTM Window Display Competition.
Inspired by macramé patterns and vintage theme, they showcased the art of using knots with decorative vintage patterns of braiding that were exclusively hand-made.
The competition was to challenge the final-year students from the Faculty of Art and Design’s Textile Department to create attractive window displays for three A-Look Eyewear retail outlets, with the theme of craftsmanship.
A total of 12 teams participated in this inaugural competition, developed by Essilor Malaysia for one of its flagship brands, Bolon eyewear, to challenge students to be more creative in producing display designs at a professional level. The shortlisted window display designs are showcased at three selected stores in A-Look at Sunway Pyramid, Seen at KLCC and MyTown.
A total of 24 students participated, with each team working in pairs to develop the mood board and design concept for Bolon’s range of sunglasses.
They then presented them to four judges, who shortlisted five teams based on creativity and how they showcased the brand to match customers’ lifestyles.
Out of the five teams, the top three moved on to final round, where they were required to physically create their ideas at selected stores across the Klang Valley.
“We were impressed with the healthy competitive spirit among the students and the level of creativity and effort that was placed into the design creations, concepts and strong brand appeal,” said Essilor Singapore and Malaysia country manager Peter Tan.
Through this collaboration, Essilor Malaysia aimed to create opportunities for students to understand and experience the real industry en- vironment and furnish them with required core concepts and skills.
The students’ designs were reviewed by a panel of judges comprising A-Look Eyewear owner Datuk Terry Ngeow, Essilor country manager Peter Tan, Essilor business development manager Wong Kok Yoong and UiTM Shah Alam Textile Department senior lecturer Elliza Hashim.
The students worked closely with lecturers to develop creative and well-structured concept designs to ensure the quality of the display. This competition is also a part the final-year students’ assessment coursework.
“This was our first collaboration with an international eyewear brand and I am proud that our students took up the challenge to deliver and execute the designs at a professional level.
“It was a pleasure for us to have such credible brands like Bolon, choosing our students to be a part of their inaugural display competition. This has not only created opportunities but has also equipped our students with necessary industry experiences in the retail industry,” said Elliza.
At the finale, the top three designs were judged based on public voting. The public voted for their preferred window display designs on ALook Eyewear’s Facebook page.
First runner up, the Kelarai design, is inspired by the popular weaving technique called Kelarai ― a technique of weaving “mengkuang” leaves. The second runner up, the Baba Nyonya design, is inspired by the rich Baba Nyonya heritage, where students incorporated the craftsmanship of the antique hand-carved wooden furniture and ceramics tile patterns.
The design with the highest number of likes was crowned as the overall winner of the competition, winning themselves the grand prize of RM2,000, together with Bolon products. The first runner-up received RM1,000 and Bolon products, while the second runner-up received RM500, inclusive of Bolon products.