Sabah Ethnic Couture Design competition in Dec
The Sabah Ethnic Couture Design competition is calling for registration from avid and talented Sabahan designers as a way to preserve the local craftsmanship in the creation of ethnic costumes or attire.
Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) women council chairperson Joanna Kitingan said having such a competition which strived to promote the traditional attire of the people of Sabah would also provide a recognition for the people involved in such craftmaking industry.
She said the introduction of printed attire that are made to look like the traditional costumes of the Sabahan people. She said that unless efforts were made to preserve the craftsmen and their crafts, the skills in making their beautiful hand work such as the Linangkit, a hand-woven embroideries of the Rungus people, would die.
“We need to appreciate these craftsmen,” she said.
“The three main winners of the competition will be travelling to London to take part in fashion shows and promote the works of local Sabahan fashion designers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Rahmahjan Sulaiman Khan, the founder and owner of RJCouture said that designers can register for the competition prior to the closing date on November 30, this year.
The preliminary round will be held on December 7 and the second round will be held on January 11 next year.
The top 20 designers will go for the final round on March 14.
Aside from the Ethnic Couture Design, there is another category in contemporary evening wear based on Sabah ethnic motifs.
Also present during the press conference was Datuk Amisah Yassin who is the competition adviser.
More information could be obtained from Alice at 01116027678.