Azlan Othman
The Youth Development Centre (PPB), Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports recently launched a community programme exhibition, Atelier Fashion and Apparel Design (KAFDA) 2022, to showcase the KAFDA course trainees and their designs, while providing local entrepreneurs with opportunities for business-matching and networking in textile and creative industries.
The initiative also provided a platform towards developing the youth and community for a stronger economy.
The PPB worked with Aewon Garment and Embroidery for the new initiative, with the KAFDA exhibition involving 14 course participants with four textile companies under the PPB Incubator Programme.
Participant Dayangku Amal Rasyidah binti Pengiran Othman said, “Throughout the course, we learnt how to create designs using Adobe Illustrator Software, make and measure shirt patterns, understand the functions of different types of sewing machines in the workshop and other new skills.”
She said KAFDA participants have different skills and backgrounds, noting that some were already skilled in sewing and design, while others have experience in cooking and decoration.
She also noted participants with special needs from Pusat Bahagia in Kampong Pulaie taking part.
“This proves that the difference in background is not an obstacle for us to learn something new. All the participants gained new knowledge and skills.
“After attending the course for two months, we are grateful for the skills gained,” she added.
“The KAFDA course is the starting point to launch products that we produced. The exposure was very important for us to be more active in producing more products.”
“We hope that more courses like this would be held in the future because of how useful it is to unearth local talents in a bid to achieve Brunei Vision 2035,” she added.
Pusat Bahagia participant Atiqah Nadzirah binti Abu Shamah said she joined the centre last year and shared that they were taught how to sew clothes, songkok and bags.
“I sewed headscarves designed by the teacher. It took two days to sew the headscarves,” she said. “Studying at Pusat Bahagia teaches a lot of new things.”
Hajah Nur Amnani binti Haji Awang Md Taib from Aewon Garment and Embroidery said, “The KAFDA course covers two basic areas, namely graphic design and sewing of T-shirts and polo shirts.
“Prior to this, the participants were exposed to the world of fashion and its contribution to economic growth. In graphic design, the participants learn the basics of using design software such as Adobe Illustrator.”
Hajah Nur Amnani said participants are encouraged to be more creative and alter cutting techniques to express their own brand identities, such as modern women’s apparel, headscarves, sinjang and T-shirts.
“In their graphic design, some participants were more inclined to traditional graphic design or modern design. After enrolling in the course, the participants gained experience and succeeded in designing their own masterpieces,” she added.
