Kartono’s magic hands
His magic hands will unquestionably transform your drab, uninteresting, and unsightly clothing, whether it be a baju kurung, baju kebaya, wedding dress, or akad nikah attire (or just about anything else), into a spectacular one! Your jaw will drop at Kartono Kasut’s incredible skill and exquisite beadwork, but more importantly, you’ll beam with delight.
Transforming your plain outfit into something stunning
His top concern has always been making sure his clients are happy. He doesn’t mind making a small profit as long as they are pleased with the finished product.
What’s even more impressive is that one of Kartono’s earliest and most devoted clients actually gave him a sewing machine (for alterations) since she so greatly respected and admired his work.
“It all began when one of my loyal customers unexpectedly asked me if I had another business (besides doing beadwork).
“I answered no, and the customer suggested that I should do one so I would not be dependent on my beadwork business alone.
“So at that time, I thought clothing alteration was the most relevant thing I could do apart from doing the beadwork.
“When the client subsequently asked about my startup requirements for the alteration business, I simply said a sewing machine.
“What shocked me was that she offered to buy the sewing machine right away, even though it cost over a thousand ringgit. Alhamdulillah, I am very thankful for her generosity,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked about what beads are, the beader, who has 31 years of experience in tailoring, said beads are the most popular accessory among traditional Malaysian clothing such as baju kurung and baju kebaya.
“In my opinion, combining beads creatively based on their unique shape, colour, and size is crucial to creating a pattern or design that will wow the owner.
“Additionally, the properties of the fabric that will be used to embroider the beads should also be known by the beader, including whether it is sturdy, easy to crumple, difficult to fluff, heavy or light, thick or thin, and so on.
“If the fabric is thin, it needs an interlining to support the beading process so as not to damage the fabric,” he said.
Recalling his early participation in tailoring and beading, this 43-year-old man from Kampung Gita Baru, Kuching, said his enthusiasm for sewing led him to enrol in a short-term basic sewing course at GIATMARA, which at the time was situated nearby the Kuching Airport road.
“In 1999, two years after completing my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, I enrolled at GIATMARA to take a six-month basic tailoring course.
“Then, from 2002 to 2005, I had the chance to work full-time as a tailoring assistant at Mandy, located in Jalan Satok; from 2005 to 2012, at Star Tailoring, located near Kubah Ria; and I also had the opportunity to work part-time at Cindy Design and Mahathir Collections, both located nearby Emart Matang.
“From sewing and ironing clothes, I then learned to do simple beadwork, and from there, I realised that I have a passion for and enjoy making beadwork.
“Around 2012, after leaving Star Tailoring, one of my close friends suggested that I turn my passion into a source of income.
“I subsequently began seeking out boutiques that needed beadwork services, and in 2013, I started taking tenders from Mui Mui Fashion Design & Dressmaking Centre, Jalan Matang,” he said, adding that he would complete approximately 30 orders of clothes every month in addition to orders from his own clients.
At the same time, Kartono said that his close friend advised him to come up with a name or brand since he was already working independently. As a result, Mizz Labuci was born, and it has stayed to this day.
Before the emergence of various social media platforms, Kartono said his beadwork was distributed via word-of-mouth from clients and friends.
Therefore, he is really appreciative of modern technology as well as numerous social media platforms, which are currently very useful in marketing his products to the general public.
“For me, social media is a crucial tool for getting the word out about my work.
“It’s important to remember that we shouldn’t evaluate a post based on how many likes or shares it receives. Instead, we should continue to share our posts daily or as frequently as we can because, in my opinion, it’s difficult for anyone to miss them.
“I believe people are aware, but it’s their habit of not pressing any like or share buttons,” he said, adding that he stopped accepting tenders from Mui Mui in 2018 so he could concentrate on his own customers.
Commenting on the price, this Kuching-born entrepreneur said it is entirely dependent on the type of beads and pattern the customer wants.
“I usually buy beads — mostly rice beads — at Satex and Fabric Accessories House (FAH), and there are occasionally customers who bring their own materials.
“Prices range from RM50 for simple beadwork to RM400 for a heavy design, such as a wedding dress or dinner dress, while beadwork wages start at RM50 for clients who supply me with beads.
“I have also embroidered an evening gown for Miss Tourism 2021; it was the most expensive (approximately RM800) and took the longest (about a month) to complete because it required intricate beadwork and a fringed technique.
“Usually, for a simple design, I only need two to three days, while for a wedding dress, I need four to five days,” he said, adding that in addition to making beadwork for wedding dresses, he also receives orders for clothing beadwork for festive seasons, dinners, fashion shows, and beauty pageants.
Kartono said that he has also made beadwork for cocktail dresses sketched and designed by Abe Amir Collection, including those for Miss Supranational Malaysia 2022 winner Melisha Lin, Miss Universe Malaysia 2022 finalist Joann Tiong, Miss Global Malaysia 2022 winner Sandra Lim, and Miss Planet Malaysia 2019 winner Viviana Lin Winston.
Speaking of challenges, he cited COVID-19 as having the most significant ones. During that outbreak, he said, he received no orders for roughly a year due to the movement control order (MCO), which prohibited the holding of any events.
However, he is very grateful to have many customers who frequently provide him with ideas, and one of them is to make face mask extenders (as wearing a face mask was mandatory at that time).
According to Kartono, he initially sold face mask extenders made from fabric and then embroidered with beads for just RM5.50 a piece.
He then created beaded face mask extenders, which ranged in price from RM10.50 to RM15, depending on the type of beads and the colour the buyer required, in addition to beaded glasses chains, which cost RM17.50 each.
“Another challenge for me is when some clients underpay, despite the fact that they have been informed of the total in the message. I’m still optimistic, though, and believe that they overlooked or miscalculated,” he said.
In addition to beadwork, Kartono said he also alters trousers and shirts. He only charged RM8 for regular fabric (like cotton) and RM15 for denim-type fabric since he would use denim-type thread to stitch on both sides of the fabric surface.
“I also offer beaded keringkam selayah for rent, which comes in two colours — a red selayah with gold beads and a black selayah with silver beads.
“Since the original keringkam selayah, which is embroidered with opulent gold thread, is pricey, I came up with the idea to create a beaded version that looks extremely similar to the original so that anybody may wear it at weddings or other events.
“I only charge RM50 for a three-day rental where, in addition to getting a beaded keringkam, I also provide clients with a sash (which I call the Selempang Kasih Mizz Labuci).
“Alhamdulillah, it was well received, especially among the brides,” said the 43-year-old beader.
According to him, the festive season, especially Hari Raya, is his busiest time of the year since a month prior, he was busy accepting orders for beadwork and alterations.
Therefore, he said, time management is crucial to ensuring that all customers’ orders are ready by the deadline.
Meanwhile, those who want to see Kartono’s amazing beadwork can search for his social media accounts — Miss Labuci on Facebook, mizzlabuci on Instagram, and carltonoomizzlabuci on TikTok — or give him a ring at 016-8627701.
What are you waiting for? Come on, make your old or even plain clothes look amazing so that you will feel more at ease with how you appear in public. I’m sure your breath will be taken away by Kartono’s magic hands!
