KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan fashion designers’ creativity to incorporate elements of the State’s diverse indigenous cultures into their designs is laudable.
Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said individuals who have an interest in fashion have a responsibility to help preserve culture.
“Sabah is home to more than 40 distinct ethnic groups, each of which has its distinctive traditional attire and embroidery styles,” he said during the “Night of Cultural Fashion” event, here, Saturday.
“Our fashion enthusiasts can use these as a source of inspiration to create a one-of-a-kind modern and contemporary apparel.
“This is how we can arouse curiosity and keep the tradition alive by presenting stories about our history and heritage through clothing.”
The “Night of Cultural Fashion” was held in conjunction with the Buvazoi Tavantang (Mr Kaamatan) 2022 male pageant.
The event served as a platform for local fashion designers to demonstrate their talents in creating contemporary formal wear for men that retained a sense of tradition.
The modern contemporary outfits specially tailored for the occasion were worn by 42 participants of the Buvazoi Tavantang.
During the event, local designer Jason Jeremy Bantoi emerged winner with a design worn by Putrajaya representative Joy Pare.
