Kebaya exhibition, fashion parade celebrate storied history of the iconic garment
A documentary produced by Berita Mediacorp, which will air on local channel Suria on Nov 23, is set to highlight the origin and evolution of the kebaya.
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SINGAPORE: Visitors to Kampong Gelam in Bugis on Saturday (Nov 18) were treated to a kaleidoscope of kebaya, including an exhibition and indoor fashion parade showcasing the iconic garment.
The festivities were part of the event, Gaya Kebaya – Raikan Warisan Kita (Celebrating Our Heritage), jointly organised by Berita Mediacorp and local association One Kampong Gelam.
Guests also caught the premiere of an upcoming documentary produced by Berita’s current affairs team about the kebaya’s beauty, origin and evolution. Titled Kebaya Gaya Nusantara, the one-hour documentary will air on local channel Suria on Nov 23.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Faishal Ibrahim said he hopes the homage to the kebaya will inspire the current generation to understand how “values can be adapted from the past to what we have today”.
Associate Professor Faishal, who is also the advisor to One Kampong Gelam, pointed out that keeping the traditional garment relevant today can help Singapore make “unique developments” in dressing and fashion, as well as values associated with the modern woman.
The kebaya is a garment rooted in the fashion tradition and history of the Malay-Indonesian world. It is typically worn by women of diverse communities and backgrounds from this region, according to the exhibition Gaya Kebaya – 130 Years.
Curated by Kebaya Société, the collection has 25 kebaya on display, including some more than 100 years old and those worn by women who used to live in Kampong Gelam, Singapore’s Muslim quarter, decades ago.
In addition, two of the kebaya on display were donated by the wife of Singapore’s first President Yusof Ishak, Puan Noor Aishah.
The exhibition located at 45 Sultan Gate will run till Nov 26 from 12pm to 6pm daily, and is free for members of the public.
Closer to dusk, an indoor fashion parade was held to showcase the kebaya collections from three boutiques in the Kampong Gelam area: Toko Aljunied, Ratianah and Mozaic.
Strutting the runway, however, were not your average fashion models. From youth to the elderly, customers of the boutiques who donned the kebaya were warmly received by an adoring audience.
The kebaya may soon be recognised by UNESCO, which is expected to make a decision in 2024 on the joint submission by Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand to list the kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage.
If successful, the well-loved garment will join Singapore’s hawker culture – the country’s first element to make the list.
There is also a photo contest running till Nov 26, where winners stand a chance to win food and beverage vouchers from Kampong Gelam outlets. Participants simply need to upload photos of themselves in kebaya at five selected locations around Kampong Gelam onto their social media and hashtag #GayaKebaya.
