29/10/2025

WEDNESDAY | OCT 29, 2025

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‘Kebaya Unesco’ highlights unity

o Each piece in collection features motifs inspired by national flowers, symbolic

with hibiscus flowers and Malayan tiger motifs. Brunei’s design combines black and white with motifs of the Simpoh flower, the royal palace and floating boats, while Indonesia’s kebaya radiates golden hues with Rafflesia embroidery and the majestic Garuda. Singapore’s kebaya highlights the orchid and Merlion icons while Thailand’s design features pink tones adorned with elephant and tuk-tuk motifs, both of which are synonymous with the country’s charm and culture. Lim said the collection received international praise when it was showcased in Asuncion, Paraguay in December 2024 as part of the Unesco nomination campaign, with delegates commending its message of unity through craftsmanship. To her, kebaya is more than attire – it is a living expression of cultural connection and identity, Bernama reported. “ Kebaya is for everyone – Malay, Chinese, Indian and Nyonya, as it symbolises unity. I am proud to present this collection on the Asean stage to show that kebaya is not just clothing, but also a heritage that unites us,” she said. “I am touched to see more young people embracing kebaya today, not just for festive or national occasions, but also in their daily lives. It is proof that our heritage continues to thrive,” she added. Malaysia, through the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the National Heritage Department, led the joint nomination of “Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices” campaign to Unesco on March 28, 2023. Following a series of promotional efforts by all five countries, kebaya was officially inscribed on Dec 4, 2024 during the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay.

colours and cultural elements: Designer

KUALA LUMPUR: Last year marked a historic moment for Asean when five member states, namely Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, joined efforts to secure the inscription of kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The recognition not only cemented kebaya’s place as a shared cultural legacy of the region, but also reflected the collective spirit of Asean countries in preserving and celebrating their traditional attire for future generations. For local Nyonya kebaya designer Lim Yu Lin, 55, the spirit of unity among the five countries became a source of inspiration for her special collection “Kebaya Unesco”. Lim, who was directly involved in the nomination process, spent about six months completing the exclusive six-piece collection, with five kebayas representing each nation and one signature creation combining elements from all five. “When the National Heritage Department approached me to design the kebaya for the joint nomination, I realised that kebaya transcends race and borders. It is not the heritage of one people or country alone. It is our shared cultural fabric. That is the message I wanted to express through my designs,” Lim

Lim spent about six months completing the exclusive six-piece collection, with five kebaya outfits representing each nation and one signature creation combining elements from all five. – BERNAMAPIC

Nyonya kebaya style, a heritage passed down through her family’s Ang Eng brand for over seven decades. “I have always stayed true to the Nyonya kebaya because it represents the roots of my family business and the tradition I wish to continue,” said Lim, a third-generation artisan of Ang Eng, founded in 1955. Malaysia’s kebaya features lush green tones representing tropical rainforests, embroidered

said during an embroidery demonstration and briefing session on the “Kebaya Unesco” collection for spouses of Asean leaders, held in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at Carcosa Seri Negara on Monday. She explained that each kebaya in the collection features distinctive motifs inspired by national flowers, symbolic colours and cultural elements while remaining faithful to the

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