Patriotic fashion collections from local labels that celebrate Malaysia

Local labels were recently seen releasing special collections to celebrate the country – each focused on elements that make us quintessentially Malaysian. Photo: Pestle & Mortar Clothing

With Merdeka Day just last week, as well as Malaysia Day around the corner, it is good to reflect on the beauty of Malaysia. And what’s a more fun way to do it than through fashion?

Local labels were recently seen releasing special collections to celebrate the country – each focused on elements that make us quintessentially Malaysian.

Read more: Style Watch: Singer-songwriter Zee Avi stays colourfully Malaysian

Photo: Batik Boutique

Batik Boutique partnered with Project57, an organisation that aims to foster unity among youths and empower Orang Asli youths. The result is a range of pretty nifty Malaysia-theme designs.

There is a special nasi lemak batik print, for example. Limited edition tote bags incorporate a beautiful batik design of the “Bapa Kemerdekaan” of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Face masks, pouches and scarves feature the capital city’s skyline as well, denoting the Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Similarly, Pestle & Mortar Clothing wants to unite all Malaysians with a collection featuring local iconographies.

Through 16 unique pieces consisting of graphic T-shirts, accessories, casual shirts and shorts, it is seen as a “love letter” that showcases the freedom and unity Malaysians experience since gaining independence 64 years ago.

Notable pieces include the Kem Semangat Tee, reimagined as merchandise from a legendary event of its namesake that was once dubbed the “Malaysian Woodstock”.

240450274_130240855991902_7627952114470086848_n

There is also the Arena Tee that features Malaysia’s beloved athletes from Pandelela Rinong and Datuk Nicol David to Datuk Azizulhasni Awang as video game characters.

The label also worked with award-winning visual artist Lim Anuar for this release. As the local fine arts scene has been severely impacted by the pandemic, this collaboration hopes to extend his art to a brand-new audience.

The Duck Group, on the other hand, focused on something all of us Malaysians can’t get enough of – eating.

Working with famed graffiti artist Kenji Chai, the label launched a ready-to-wear range to show love for Malaysia and its food.

Read more: A passion for sneakers brought this Malaysian to New York

The designs come in four “flavours”: nasi lemak, prawn mee, asam laksa and cendol. Each of the motifs is as colourful as the local palate, as well as being a apt reminder of what defines us.

“Whenever I call my parents, I would always ask them ‘dah makan?’. Something as simple as this defines what makes us Malaysian,” relates The Duck Group’s fictional alter ego, D, on Instagram.