Malaysian couple showcases the country's textile legacy through their non-stitch patchwork art

For Latifah and husband Raffly, seni tampal selit isn't just about art, it's a way to showcase Malaysia's heritage, and especially the country's multiculturalism and unity.

Surrounded by swatches of batik, songket and soft cotton, a woman hunches over a vibrant piece of artwork, gently tucking a strip of fabric into a groove. Nearby, her husband adjusts a design template, while their daughter delicately places a tiny accessory on a doll-sized traditional costume. It’s all in a day’s work in this cosy studio in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, but theirs is no ordinary patchwork.

Latifah Hamzah, 58, and her husband Raffly Nann, 59, are the masterminds behind seni tampal selit, or non-stitch patchwork – an intricate artform they developed by localising the Japanese technique of Kimekomi. To them, this is more than just a craft; it’s a cultural movement, a family legacy and a heartfelt tribute to Malaysia’s rich multicultural diversity.