Contemporary aesthetics | The Star

In TODAY’S fast-paced world that is always looking for the next new thing, it is a veritable challenge for traditional crafts, foods and clothing to remain relevant.

StarMetro explores five fascinating transformations to keep traditions alive.

Tie-dye home decor

Kam Woei Yann, 55, is reshaping the landscape of interior design through the ancient art of dyeing.

Focusing on shibori tie-dye techniques, Kam transforms everyday household items like chairs, pillows and curtains into captivating pieces with intricate patterns.

“Unlike batik, which can appear formal with its all-encompassing design, shibori provides a flexible array of patterns that align with contemporary fashion preferences.

“It highlights a single intricate pattern on a piece while leaving other areas blank, offering a visually appealing aesthetic,” she said.

Kam wearing her own creations, an indigo-dyed gilet and pants, standing beside wall hangings. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON, AZLINA ABDULLAH, ONG SOON HIN/The Star

Kam’s journey into tie-dye art spans over 25 years, fuelled by her fascination with textiles and fashion.

“As a backpacking enthusiast, I travelled extensively to China, northern Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia in search of the hill tribes who are renowned for their textiles and fashion.

“It was during a visit to a Dong village in Guizhou, China, that I seized the chance to immerse myself in learning dye art for 10 days.

“Those days marked the beginning of my journey in indigo dye art. It ignited a passion for the craft and pivoting my career towards mastering indigo dye art to establish my own brand identity,” said the former graph-ic designer and fine arts painter.

Kicking off with the concept of “wearable art” through her brand, Yann’s Indigo Studio which specialises in indigo-dyed garments, Kam later expanded to include household items.

Indigo dye art is worked into home furnishings using stitching techniques to create patterns on each piece.

Her first attempt at furniture design yielded a pair of chairs decorated with indigo shibori patterns.“Dyeing garments can be tough but with furniture, the scale and time required make it even more challenging.

“Shibori’s reliance on manual labour, which machines cannot replicate, introduces another level of complexity,” Kam said, emphasising the importance of patience in the process.

Despite challenges, the Penang-born Kam treasures each piece of her dye art as a labour of love.

Yann Indigo Dye Room also holds Shibori and Indigo dyeing workshops and pop-up shops regularly.

Shaping signature in clay

Pottery is an art form deeply rooted in human history and culture.

Today, modern potters are adapting traditional techniques to meet contemporary aesthetic and functional demands.

Kuala Lumpur-based Sean Koon Hao Xiang, 23, is largely a self-taught potter.

“My journey involved a lot of learning and failing,” said Koon, who ventured last year to Jingdezhen, renowned as China’s porcelain capital, to enhance his knowledge with courses.

Koon sculpting a piece of pottery.— Photos courtesy of Sean Pottery Studio

He said modern pottery presented various challenges, from mastering matte surfaces to perfecting glazes through scientific experimentation.

“Traditional pottery often emphasises perfection, smooth, glossy surfaces and flawless shapes.

“But in modern pottery, it’s more about personality and characteristics.

“My pursuit is to refine imperfections, leaving ample hand touches on the ceramic surface to express both my identity and the human element within my creations,” he said.

One example of this fusion is his deliberate use of black clay, which he allows to remain visible beneath the glaze.

“This stands in contrast to traditional practices, where the clay is typically concealed to achieve uniformity.

“But for me, it is about working together with clay and embracing its natural colour,” he said.

The artist redefines modern pottery by favouring matte, textured surfaces over traditional glossy ones. — Photos courtesy of Sean Pottery Studio

Koon, who has been in the pottery business for three years, said his style was characterised by matte finishes and textured surfaces.

“I find matte surfaces more appealing and contemporary, which is why I have developed my own glazes to achieve this effect.

“It is about expressing my own identity and personality through my work.

“When someone picks up one of my pieces, I want them to instantly recognise it as mine,” said Koon.

Transforming traditional attire

Tan Kel Wen, 29, founded Behati in 2018, blending Malaysia’s traditional wear with fashion-forward statements.

“My first design venture was an oversized baju melayu tailored for a Raya gathering, which received positive feedback from friends.

“While reflecting my personal aesthetics and brand identity, Behati’s goal is to rejuvenate culture and tradition, fostering pride in Malaysian identity.

“Through Behati, I strive to make traditional wear accessible to all Malaysians by eliminating size constraints and nurturing a sense of connection,” he said.

Kel Wen showing the Behati brand’s oversized men’s clothing. He strives to make traditional wear accessible to all Malaysians, regardless of size.

The Melaka-born designer now extends his creative vision to encompass outfits of all Malaysian ethnic groups, including Bornean traditional wear.

His strategy for modernising traditional wear while preserving heritage involves infusing each creation with at least one traditional element representing each race’s identity.

“This process demands thorough cultural research and a keen eye for detail.

“Each collection takes on average three months from research to production, with a priority on variety and quality over quantity,” he said.

Confronting challenges, Kel Wen said he was criticised for his take on the Malay sampin, which diverged from tradition by featuring a hook-and-eye closure instead of the customary folds.

“My aim is to enhance comfort and transform traditional attire for effortless, everyday wear.

“Blending elements into traditional wear in culturally diverse countries like Malaysia with its colonial history, is akin to trends seen in British or Korean fashion.

“It emphasises understanding each culture rather than adhering to a rigid concept of right or wrong,” said Kel Wen.

Customised final tributes

To provide an alternative to traditional, ritualised funeral ceremonies, a company is offering personalised, heartfelt celebrations of life.

At Yi Yuan Life Care, co-founder Tan Yung Feng, 34, turns funerals into bespoke events.

“We place a high value on personalisation because we believe that every individual’s life is unique.

“Therefore, when it comes to a life’s final celebration, it should reflect personal preferences, characteristics and personality.

“This approach allows us to create funerals that are not just ceremonies but meaningful tributes.

“This also helps mourners better connect (emotionally) with the deceased, facilitating the release of grief,” said the psychology graduate.One of the most poignant examples was the funeral service for a student.

The grief was overwhelming, not just for her family but also for her friends.

To help channel this collective sorrow, Tan organised a campaign to fold 2,000 paper cranes, symbols of peace and healing.

Camping gear can be incorporated into personalised tributes for outdoor activity fans. — Filepic

“Ultimately, we received 5,000 cranes nationwide.

“This overwhelming response turned the funeral into a testament of community solidarity, showcasing the empathetic nature of grief,” he said.

In another touching tribute, an elderly man who loved camping was honoured with a camping- themed ceremony.

His wife provided a new tent they had bought for a planned trip which didn’t take place.

“She wanted him to be the first to use it, fulfilling their last plan together,” said Yung Feng.

Tan and his team set up the tent at the funeral home, complete with a mock campfire and the deceased’s favourite travel memorabilia. This tribute not only celebrated his adventurous spirit but also offered a touching farewell that was deeply personal and fitting.

With bespoke ceremonies, families can create lasting memories that honour their loved one’s lives.

By incorporating personal touches, whether through favourite foods, cherished hobbies, or symbolic gestures, these ceremonies provide a space for healing and connection.

According to Yung Feng, a funeral is the “last chance to honour the dearly departed in a way that truly reflects who they were.

“This thoughtful approach turns a ritual into a meaningful homage,” he added.

New way to eat traditional dish

A traditional Hakka dish, lei cha, is typically prepared with rice infused with pounded tea and vegetables.

At Jamboo KL in Kuala Lumpur, lei cha has been updated with inspiration from poke bowls.

Customers have the option of building their own lei cha by choosing from over 40 ingredients that include protein toppings like fish, chicken, egg and shrimp.

The eatery offers a creative array beyond the typical vegetable lei cha choices.

Jamboo KL’s co-founder Yeo Sze Ying showing how customers can customise their lei cha bowls by picking cards bearing ingredient names from a wall.

“This twist promises a nutrient- packed meal, satisfying both visually and taste-wise,” said Jamboo KL co-founder James Wong, 27.

“Our aim is to accommodate the tastes of younger generations while also promoting the tradition of lei cha to a wider audience,” he said.

The traditional dish is vegetarian, made with long beans, sawi, spinach, roasted peanuts, and leek.

However, Jamboo has expanded the options to include ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, corn, dragon chives, and carrot.

Whole grain, quinoa and cauliflower rice are also available as alternatives to the typical white or brown rice base of lei cha.

Traditional Hakka lei cha served at Jamboo KL is named ‘Inspirasi Lei Cha’.

“Customers can customise their meal by choosing one base, four vegetables and two toppings from the menu, along with their preferred soup or sauce.

“We also provide customisable options such as mint, sesame, pucuk manis, matcha, basil and ginseng to enhance flavours and satisfaction with our lei cha soup,” said Wong.

In addition to the Jamboo Bowl, the eatery also offers lei cha spaghetti and lei cha butter croissants, each presenting a playful take on the traditional lei cha fare.