A spectacular showcase of colours that captured the spirit of Hari Raya was presented at the Ranee Museum in the Old Courthouse in Kuching. Seven different prints reflect textile prints, highlighting the cultural fusion between Sarawak and Brunei.
Dubbed “Irama”, the mini wear resort Raya collection features digitally printed keringkam motifs, as well as hand-painted batik on silk satin and crepe. The collection captures the rhythm and melody of Hari Raya, with kaftans and easy-to-wear pieces taking the stage.
This is a collaboration between Sarawakian music personality and upcoming fashion entrepreneur Arafah Edruce, also known as Arabyrd, and Brunei’s renowned fashion designer Farhanna Pura under her brand label Na Forrer. To preserve the fashion heritage of Borneo Island, the innovative approach of design highlights the artisanal embroidered motifs of the keringkam through digital printing on carefully crafted designer pieces.
With a fresh take on colour blocking and a nod to traditional Sarawakian attire through the striking combination of colours, the collection pays homage to the elegant dressing style of Bornean women. Fused with tradition and innovation, Arafah, who fell in love with the keringkam textile during her television hosting stint, had wanted to recreate the fashion heritage to be more affordable.
“Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei are part of Borneo, thus we all share the same heritage, traditions and culture. The reason why I decided to focus on keringkam was because when we were researching it, we noticed that there is a scarcity of embroiderers in Kalimantan, Brunei and Sabah. Thus, this is my effort to keep the keringkam alive,” she said during an interview with New Sarawak Tribune.
As an heirloom and tradition dating back hundreds of years, keringkam textiles have a rich fashion history, which is why Arafah supports its cultural preservation. Giving her opinion on juggling the old with the modern, she revealed that if it is not well preserved, this textile may become extinct.
“It’s something that’s passed down through generations. With the advancement of technology, things have not only progressed quickly but also have a tendency to fade, especially in the case of traditional arts and crafts. People prefer to depend on fast-paying and trendy things, but I believe if you slowly start instilling tradition and heritage crafts, they will start to understand and value it more,” she added.
Meanwhile, Farhanna describes the collection as a labour of love, stemming from their passion for fashion and a deep-rooted connection to their Bornean heritage.
“We envisioned a future where the keringkam prints can be embraced by the new generation and not just a relic of the past, but as a symbol of fashion-forward, expression and cultural pride.”
Having established Na Forrer in 2010, Farhanna’s designs fuse art and luxury, producing bespoke tailored pieces and capitalising on sustainable fashion experience. Encompassing a merge of the traditional and modern characteristics, Farhanna wants to tell a story of her experience growing up in Brunei.
“The clothing that I design always conveys a story about my identity. And ‘Irama’ narrates the story of the Bornean island and its identity.”
Arafah and Farhanna were both excited with the launch of “Irama” last week, having developed the keringkam idea back in January and producing the batik prints in December. As fashion entrepreneurs and mothers working together, they saw the showcase as an opportunity to be appreciated.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali graced the event, which was attended by many fashion designers and enthusiasts, and distinguished guests.
The collection is available for pre-order with a two-week lead time. For more information, visit www.naforrer.com or follow Na Forrer and Arabyrd on Instagram (@naforrer, @iamarabyrd).
