15/07/2026

LYFE WEDNESDAY | JULY 15, 2026

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Johor woven fabric makes waves o Traditional textiles gaining prominence on fashion stage J OHOR’S traditional weaving heritage is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with Kain Benang Johor emerging as

one of the country’s finest textiles and gaining prominence on the local haute couture scene. Once reserved for ceremonial occasions, the traditional fabric has evolved into a symbol of status, prestige, luxury and national pride, reflecting Johor’s royal heritage and cultural identity. Johor Weaving Gallery assistant curator Roslinda Mohd Rosli said the fabric’s distinctive appeal lies in its unique geometric patterns, setting it apart from woven textiles produced in other states. “This iconic Johor fabric adopts the concept of kain berkotak (check patterned cloth), embellished with motifs inspired by the state’s natural heritage, such as black pepper and gambier, placed within the geometric squares. “Its beauty is further enhanced by a striped kepala kain (fabric head) design, giving the wearer a refined, elegant and exclusive appearance,” she told Bernama. Roslinda said the original pattern was carefully preserved by generations of master weavers in Muar before being introduced more widely throughout the state. To date, she said, 10 official designs have been patented, including six exclusive creations for the Johor royal family, namely Songket Johor Jauhar, Songket Johor Madini and Songket Johor Maharani. “The remaining four designs are intended for the public, namely Tenun Johor Corak Muar, Tenun Johor Tanjung Piai and Tenun Johor gaining popularity not only among perfume enthusiasts in Malaysia but also in Indonesia, where scents inspired by local favourites such as kopi ikat tepi, cendol and ketayap are attracting a growing following. While gourmand fragrances have traditionally been associated with vanilla and caramel, which have long enjoyed widespread appeal, the perfume industry is now embracing scents inspired by mangoes, matcha, pistachios and an array of desserts to satisfy consumers seeking more imaginative and distinctive olfactory experiences. Szindore live-selling host Muhammad Ammar Jamil said the trend inspired his company to create the Malaysian Delight Series, a collection that highlights the local food identity. “We found that many customers like the Malaysian Delight Series. Even perfume enthusiasts from Indonesia like the fragrances inspired by our local food,”he told Bernama at the Fragrance of Asia Showcase at Sentul Depot recently. According to Ammar, not all gourmand fragrances are suitable for

A pair of mannequins are garbed in Kain Benang Johor garments. – BERNAMAPIC

at government employees and the public to wear Johor’s identity attire every Friday, but also at creating greater opportunities for the fabric to evolve into contemporary fashion designs,” she said. Roslinda added the fabric is no longer confined to traditional samping , having been creatively adapted into shirts, women’s blouses and jackets suitable for formal occasions and casual wear. encouraging

Mayang Selida ,” she said. Highlighting the fabric’s exclusivity, Roslinda described every piece as a work of art that demands exceptional patience, as it must undergo eight intricate stages of traditional craftsmanship. The entirely handwoven process, carried out without automated machinery, begins with dyeing the yarn before progressing through menerai, menganing, winding, menyampak, mengarat, songket

To ensure the weaving tradition continues to flourish while making Johor’s signature fabric more accessible, she said the Johor Heritage Foundation has introduced machine-woven versions. “In conjunction with the Visit Johor campaign, the machine-made fabric is being offered at a promotional price of RM250, compared with its regular price of RM350, until December. “This initiative is not only aimed

pattern counting and finally weaving on the traditional Kek Melayu loom. “It takes between one-and-a-half and two months for a weaver to complete a two-metre-long samping measuring 37 inches in width.” Roslinda described the starting price of RM2,000 for an authentic handwoven piece as a worthwhile investment for a masterpiece that has become highly sought after by affluent buyers, corporate leaders and heritage collectors.

Local delicacies, including cendol , ketayap , inspire new fragrances FOOD-INSPIRED fragrances are

A line of perfumes inspired by Malaysian delicacies sit on display.

adding younger consumers are increasingly drawn to gourmand fragrances. Meanwhile, Amthra Bali founder Mitha Italia said creating food-inspired perfumes requires careful balancing of fragrance formulas to ensure the scent is not too “heavy” or so realistic that it smells edible. “Our pistachio fragrance is inspired by pistachio ice-cream, but we made it lighter and fresher by incorporating citrus and musk notes so that it is more comfortable to wear. If a fragrance is too ‘sweet’ like chocolate, we have to soften it so that it still retains the identity of the food while becoming more subtle and wearable,” she said, adding food-inspired

daily wear as some of them possess an overly “creamy, thick and sweet character”. As a result, some of these fragrances are produced as exclusive collections aimed primarily at perfume collectors. “Not everyone enjoys perfumes that smell like food. Most buyers are collectors. These fragrances are also priced slightly higher because some are produced in limited editions, making them more valuable among collectors. For everyday outings, such as going to the shopping mall, customers usually prefer to use fresher notes, such as the citrus accord in our Teh Singo fragrance, rather than gourmand scents, which are better suited for special occasions,” he said,

Mitha shows off her pistachio perfume, inspired by pistachio ice-cream. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

to gain a deeper understanding of the perfume-making process, from raw ingredients to the finished product. “Visitors can also sample and discover a wide range of fragrances, from classic scents to more unique creations,” he said.

aromas are also known to uplift a person’s mood. The Fragrance of Asia event brings together perfume brands from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Its founder Erick Chua said the event offers visitors an opportunity