Batik not just a traditional wear but can be worn for all occasions - Fashion designer

KUALA LUMPUR - Exquisite Batik designed clothing is not just a traditional costume but designer batik outfits will look elegant when blended with modern fashion designs.

Fashion designer Rasta Rashid, 50, (real name Rastawati Dewi Abdul Rashid), best known as the Costume Queen claims that Batik which is regarded as the nation’s heritage and traditional costume is not limited to just traditional occassions but can be worn for all types of occassions.

Rasta Rashid who has been involved in the fashion industry for the past 29 years and who owns the "Batek by Rasta Rashid” brand name, dreams of promoting the beauty of batik designed clothing in the modern fashion world.

According to the designer, the response and support from the various races towards her batik designed costumes has been very encouraging and the sales recorded currently has shown a tremendous increase compared with five years ago.

"Nowadays, batik is not just worn or loved by the Malays, but rather other races in the country, especially Indians, Chinese and others have started using batik. Therefore fashion designers must be smart in creating designs that can attract all races.

"Batik is now not just a traditional costume but has been adopted by modern fashion loving people,” she said during the "Warisan Luxe x Batek by Rasta Rashid & Friends”, here recently.

Rasta is also the founder of Batek by Rasta Rashid, a brand label that uses Batik sarong fabric to create exciting, fun, unique Batik designs for men, women and kids.

Meanwhile, the founder of Warisan Luxe, Patrick Wee, 50, said he was pleased to be able to provide a platform to assist in the promotion of local designers and their brands so that they can establish themselves in the fashion industry.

"I feel Malaysia has a vast pool of talent but lacks branding. Therefore, my duty is to assist them to find sponsors, space and opportunities, especially for those who have yet to get an opportunity to stage fashion shows.

"If they have a new brand and they want to organise a fashion show, it is expensive, we must be realistic as well. But when we provide a platform like this, we can offer them an opportunity to promote new talent,” said Patrick who is also the founder of Klinik Rui.

Speaking of Warisan Luxe x Batek by Rasta Rashid & Friends, he said 12 exclusively designed batik shirts were produced and more interestingly designed together by three reknowned fashion designers - Rasta Rashid, Bon Zainal and Obi Trend.

"Among elements highlighted is the use of plain fabric that is blended with batik and songket,” he said. - BERNAMA