Celebrating shared tradition: custom printed Baju Kebaya with Bruneian Songket and hand-painted Euca silk

Explore the exchange story of designer Na Forrer from Brunei and artisans Lully Selb from Singapore and find out how they created their look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, 2018. 

Na Forrer making some final touches to her look by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

"I love that all the ideas we had were translated into the fabric that Lully Selb hand painted and showcased what our collaboration really meant - Empowering and Celebrating the 'Modern Malay Woman'"

Farhanna Pura

Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion ExchangeCommonwealth Fashion Council

The Exchange: Brunei Darussalam x Singapore

For The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, designer Na Forrer exchanged with artisans Lully Selb to create a look that was inspired by women and will inspire women. The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on February 19, 2018, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 2018.

Designer Farhanna Pura, Na Forrer by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Brunei Darussalam: Designer Na Forrér

Farhanna Pura is the designer behind Brunei brand Na Forrér. Her demi-couture fashion line, inspired by women’s empowerment, translates ‘Girl Power’ into strong silhouettes with contemporary styling that remain true to her Malay culture. 

Artisans Lully and Selb from Lully SelbCommonwealth Fashion Council

Singapore: Artisans Lully Selb

Lully Selb, a contemporary modestwear brand, was launched in 2015, synergizing the strengths of both co-founders – Selb, who graduated with a Fashion Design degree from a joint university partnership between NAFA (Singapore) and Huddersfield University (UK); and Lully, a creative artist and Fine Arts graduate.

Artisans Lully Selb hand painting the skirt for Na Forrer's lookCommonwealth Fashion Council

Lully Selb believes “in challenging the status quo and
expressing our unique individuality. Being Muslim creatives, we have a modest
approach to our dressing. Who's to say that modernity and tradition are
mutually exclusive." 

Lully and Selb

Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion ExchangeCommonwealth Fashion Council

The story behind the look

In celebrating this collaboration between Singapore and Brunei, the focus was on the evolution of the modern Malay woman, as it is a symbol of a shared history and identity. For this project, Na Forrér created an evening dress known as a “Baju Kebaya” - a common traditional womenswear worn by Malay women from Brunei and Singapore during formal events and festivities. 

Na Forrer's sketch by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Na Forrer's sketch by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Illustration of the dress

Close up of Na Forrer's wool corset by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Traditional Bruneian Songket

The traditional corset was crafted from traditional Bruneian Songket fabric, which is normally worn by brides and grooms for marriage ceremonies and on royal and state occasions.

Close up of Na Forrer's wool corset by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

The corset is made from a 100% wool crepe.

Close up of Na Forrer's shoulder-pad by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

The Shirt

The boxy and high shoulder represents womens’ empowerment and modernity.

Na Forrer checking her design by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Close up of Na Forrer's skirt, designed by artisans Lully Selb by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

The Dress

The dress features Euca silk, and Bruneian Songket, a traditional material woven out of silk and cotton gold and silver threads.

Na Forrer making some final touches to her look by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Artisans Lully Selb hand painting the skirt for Na Forrer's lookCommonwealth Fashion Council

Lully Selb hand-painted Euca silk for the look.

Close up of Na Forrer's skirt, designed by artisans Lully SelbCommonwealth Fashion Council

Na Forrer drawing her sketch for the project by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

To exhibit the collaboration between Brunei and Singapore, the Brunei emblem Panji-Panji is featured in the custom textile design.

Behind the scenes with designer Na Forrer by Farhanna PuraCommonwealth Fashion Council

Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Na Forrer's look for The Commonwealth Fashion ExchangeCommonwealth Fashion Council

Final look on display at Buckingham Palace, 19 February 2018

Na Forrer's look at Australian High Commission London by Na ForrerCommonwealth Fashion Council

Final look on display at the Australian High Commission, London, 22 February 2018

Behind the Scenes of The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018Commonwealth Fashion Council

Credits: Story

This content has been specifically curated for the Google Arts & Culture platform on behalf of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition that launched on the 19th of February at Buckingham Palace in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM.

The project, created and managed by Eco-Age, with the support of The Commonwealth Fashion Council and The British Fashion Council.

More information about the images is available by clicking on them.
Read more about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at http://eco-age.com/commonwealth-fashion-exchange/

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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