Fashion desginers to put Sabah on map By Neil Brian Joseph
IMAGINE wearing an outfit that could tell the stories of the traditional roots of Sabah.
That is what Changgih Designs, a local social enterprise is currently doing - seeking to put Sabah on the map by blending the local arts of the indigenous communities in Sabah with modern day fashion.
Founded by Jo Moss and Bethany Dawson in 2016, Changgih Designs is a fashion establishment that is like non other as it is dedicated in empowering Sabahans through skill development and vocational opportunities, while at the same time creating trendy accessories and outfits.
Canggih Designs produces scarves, bags, clutches, fabrics that can be turned into sophisticated outfits and plenty more.
“That is the best part of Changgih – the fact that we are combining both their (the communities of Sabah) stories and ours. Bethany and I came from completely different parts of the world. With her being in Sabah, moving her life here and me having 100 per cent dedication to the brand shows you that Sabah is a gem,” Jo told The Borneo Post when met at Changgih Designs’ 2018 Fall Collection Launch party.
She believes that Sabahans need to venture out and they need to utilise all the beautiful ‘culture and colours’ that The Land Below The Wind possesses.
“That is what we want to do, we want to put Sabah on the map,” she stressed.
Ever since debuting their designs at the Jesselton Artisan Market (a local artisan market), Changgih has grown and gained more confidence in the field.
Jo revealed that her journey with Changgih had taught her a lot about Sabah.
It is understood that all the designers for Changgih are locals. They comprised mostly Kadazandusun women residing in Penampang and are between 30 and 60 years old.
For their most recent fall collection, Jo and Bethany had conducted extensive amounts of research; they had gone to the villages and even referred to cultural experts from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
“Changgih had also gone to the Sabah Art Museum and together we have pulled in designs that we feel are modern but at the same time still in tact with the traditional aspects of what all of Sabah represents.
Jo reiterated that she wanted to create an item that could instantly emulate a particular cultural group just by looking at the item’s textile and colour schemes.
Among the cultural groups that are represented in their latest collection is the Dusun Lotud as well as other features that define Sabah such as its paddy field and so on.
Jo said that many of Changgih’s designs were the result of a collective teamwork – they would hear stories from their artisans; stories from the artisan’s grandfathers’ time.
They will then create an art together that would best represent those stories.
Impressed by the work of Changgih Designs, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) had expressed its full support to the establishment.
Its general manager Suzaini Sabdin Ghani said that the board would always support any local entrepreneurs seeking to promote local Sabahan art.
“Firstly, congratulations to Jo and Bethany for their successful launch party. Personally, on behalf of Sabah Tourism Board, I would like to say that we are always in support of local entrepreneurs who have come out to promote local motives and have turned it into a business,” said Suzaini, who was the guest of honour at the event.
“What we enjoy most is the fact that the designs are very practical items; items such as skirts, blouses, bags, sling bags as well as scarves,” she added.
The fact that Changgih Designs is using Sabah’s heritage elements from all of the different districts of the state had stiumulated the interest of STB, Suzaini said.
Suzaini believed that the work of Changgih Designs can further elevate Sabah’s community-based tourism.
“We support Changgih because it helps us bring in more tourists to Sabah. At the same time Changgih will help us showcase other parts of Sabah that has not been covered by most of our private sector,” she reckoned.
She expressed her hope that Changgih would one day expand its wings to Peninsular Malaysia and even to the international shores.
She said the STB was currently promoting the works of Changgih Designs through its digital media and that the board was hoping to bring Changgih Designs to its international trade fairs in the future.
Ten per cent of all the Changgih Designs’ proceeds are set aside for community building programs.
All of its products are handmade here in Sabah in partnership with artisans in various locations.
Training, material, and even sewing machines are provided to these artisans in order to empower them to earn an income through partnership with Changgih Designs, while developing their skill set in order to open up other earning opportunities.