Izah Azahari
Fashion trends play a significant role in our society, not only in terms of clothing but also in the broader sense of style and aesthetics. It helps to define and express individual and collective identities, cultural values and societal norms. They can also be a reflection of social and economic trends.
Additionally, fashion trends are essential for the fashion industry as they stimulate creativity, drive innovation, and generate demand for new products.
As they provide a platform for designers to showcase their skills and talents, and contribute to the growth of the industry, fashion trends ultimately have the power to shape how we look and feel, influencing the way we interact with others and our environment.
As such, fashion tends to constantly evolve, reflecting the changing attitudes and values of society, where in the recent years, it has become increasingly globalised through various influences such as social media, celebrity culture and sustainability concerns.
The evolution of fashion trends has been marked by cycles of innovation and imitation, with designers constantly seeking to create new and exciting looks while also paying homage to the past, and with the arrival of Hari Raya, the fashion world is buzzing with excitement to showcase the latest trends in traditional and modern outfits.
Brunei, a country that celebrates Raya with great enthusiasm and fervour, has its own unique fashion sense that combines tradition and modernity.
Fashion trends for Hari Raya in the Sultanate typically feature bright and bold colours, intricate embroidery, and stylish cuts and designs that cater to both men and women.
With a mix of traditional and contemporary styles, Brunei’s fashion industry is thriving, and fashion enthusiasts eagerly await the latest fashion trends to hit the market during the festive season.
As the fashion trends continuously evolve, vintage designs seem to be making a comeback.
To have a better grasp of a fashion designer’s perspective, I turned to Zulhelmi Kamaluddin and Fikri Afif Daud of Bilang.
With regards to women’s Raya fashion, they believe that wrap skirt is one of the many fashion pieces being included in festive collections this year, for both local and foreign designers.
“Classic timeless pieces are also certainly making a comeback. This would include traditional silhouttes like kebarung and kurung labuh as many designers this year are opting for loose, simple and easy pieces that can be worn every day and for different occasions,” they said.
For men’s fashion, they believe that the baju cara Melayu is here to stay, but also that many are paying more attention to their choice of fabric, cut and tailoring.
“Of course, we’re very much excited to see our clients in our Bilang Eidsential pieces this year,” exclaimed the designers.
Meanwhile, fashion enthusiast Mahirah LH has also noticed an upsurge in kebaya designs this year, as she believes every Malaysian designer is going nostalgically vintage.
“I’m also noticing that embroidery is trending once again. But what I’m most looking forward to seeing this Hari Raya is the return of the bell sleeves and kurung Kedah. It’s giving a very 70s vibe for me,” said Mahirah.
If you too have observed the numerous kebaya designs emerging locally and globally, and wish to decipher the reason behind the revival of the kebaya design, then it should be mentioned that Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have collaborated to propose a multi-national nomination.
Announced sometime in late 2022, the countries intend to have “Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions, and Practices” listed on the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO at the end of March 2023.
I, for one, have observed a surge in the popularity of batik design fabrics as a fashion trend since the middle of 2022.
Many designers have embraced the use of batik fabric to create kebarung-style clothing, incorporating lace to add a delicate and feminine touch to the outfits. This combination has become increasingly popular, particularly for special occasions such as Hari Raya celebrations, as it results in a beautiful and elegant look.
Ultimately, the evolution of fashion trends reflects the ever-changing nature of society and the desire to express individuality and creativity through clothing and style.
