KOTA BARU: Award-winning batik designer and entrepreneur Amir Harith Mat Kashim was labelled as crazy by his peers in the east coast region when he announced his desire to create superhero-themed batik designs.
Dismissing his idea as “senseless”, his critics even warned that his unconventional motifs could damage the reputation of the highly-esteemed textile craft.
But being someone who liked to challenge himself to do things that are considered “illogical”, the enterprising 30-year-old master craftsman went ahead with his superhero-inspired creations which, much to his delight, were very well-received by his customers.
In fact, Amir Harith’s “Heroes” batik menswear collection – introduced last year with prices ranging from RM200 to a few thousand ringgit – was sold out in no time.
The “Heroes” shirts feature hand-drawn motifs of the instantly recognisable accessories and images of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and a host of other popular Marvel Comics figures.
These motifs blend well with other abstract designs set against pleasing colour tones, giving the shirts an exclusive look.
Amir Harith markets his batik collections under his own brand Bujins and has an online store and boutiques in Bangi and Bukit Bintang.
The Kota Baru-born batik artisan’s workshop is located at Jalan Kuala Krai here, where a group of journalists from Kuala Lumpur had the opportunity to visit during the two-day National Craft Institute Graduate Success Story Programme in Kelantan in July, organised by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
His reason for choosing the superhero-themed motifs was to prove a point that batik-makers could also be innovative with their creations.
“Batik does not necessarily have to feature only (conventional) flora and fauna-inspired motifs or the more contemporary geometric or abstract designs.”
He said it was only last year that he ventured to create totally new motifs to introduce exclusive collections and expand his business.
Motivated by the encouraging response to his “Heroes” collection, Amir Harith and his team are now focusing on creating a collection featuring batik motifs inspired by local warriors and historical figures.
For a start, they have zeroed in on Hang Tuah and his group of four fellow warriors Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, Hang Kasturi and Hang Lekiu.
To be produced as a limited-edition collection, it is expected to be available at the two Bujins boutiques and online store sometime this month.
Some of his regular customers, many of whom are non-Malays, have already pre-booked items from the “Warriors” collection.
He said after completing the “Warriors” collection, Bujins would work on local freedom fighters from various ethnic groups, including from Sabah and Sarawak.
“After that, we may come up with a special series (depicting key historical events) such as the Bukit Kepong incident.
“I want my Bujins brand to be a platform for the narration of history through our batik motifs. When people see Bujins fashion, they will get to know (some aspects of) our nation’s history as well, ” he added.
Amir Harith, who won the Piala Seri Endon in the fashion category in 2013 and 2014 and also the Prime Minister’s Golden Hand Award in 2009, said he was keen to express his love and patriotism for the country through his batik creations.
“The younger generation is often criticised for not being patriotic enough but we have our own way of expressing our patriotism.” — Bernama
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