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Friday, June 28, 2013

Bernard Chandran's "The Contemporary Malay Wedding" Exhibition

I travelled to Pahang for a one-night trip on Monday for internationally-acclaimed Malaysian fashion designer Bernard Chandran's "The Contemporary Malay Wedding" exhibition. The exhibition was presented in the stunning Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, in Pekan, the Royal town of Pahang state, and it explores Chandran's unique and contemporary interpretations of traditional wedding attire, through a discerning selection of his own past and present designs as well as related film footage, archive photography and text.

With the approval of the Royal Family of Brunei, whom - along with artists and celebrities from the international entertainment industries - rank among Chandran's most high profile clientele, the centrepiece to the exhibition is an array of original designs which he created specifically for some of their own Royal weddings, during the past two decades.

These remarkable creations have, with great generosity of spirit, been exclusively loaned to "The Contemporary Malay Wedding" from members of the Royal Family's own personal archives. The exhibition includes, among many other must-see pieces, Chandran's incredible designs for the 2005 wedding of Princess Hamidah, the daughter of Prince Jefri of Brunei; the 2007 wedding of Princess Majeedah, the daughter of the Sultan of Brunei; the 2012 wedding of Princess Hafizah, the daughter of the Sultan of Brunei, in addition to the design notably made for and worn by Dr Halina Mohd Yunos, the wife of Malaysia's first astronaut, for their wedding in 2010.

The spectacular Muzium Sultan Abu Bakar in Pekan, Pahang
My favourite piece worn by Datin Dr. Halina Mohd. Yunos, wife of Datuk Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Malaysia’s first astronaut
Worn by Dayangku Ratna Siti Nooraishah
Design: Short modern Kurung in royal blue Jong Sarat
Another one of my favourites worn by Tengku Dato’ Nurul Kamalia bt Tengku Besar Pahang Tengku Kamil Ismail
Design: Short Kebaya in light gold beige Jong Sarat
From Bernard Chandran's Petang Raya 2008 / 2009 collection. A modern Kurung in pure white silk jersey
From the Swarovski Spring Summer 2003 Collection KL.
Design: Modern Short Kebaya in lace and songket
From Rias Fashion Show 1996
Design: Long Kebaya in beige Lurex lace
Also worn by Dayangku Ratna Siti Nooraishah at her Muleh Tiga Hari ceremony
Design: Modern Short Kurung in Red and Gold Jong Sarat
This piece was specially designed for the museum
Design: Updated version of the Kurung Pesak Gantung, traditional embroidery with ’Zardozi work’(wired-work) with pearls and glass crystals
From the Piala Seri Endon 2002 collection
Design: Modern Kebaya with beadings on lace and chiffon
An intricate veil to complement one of the dresses
"The Contemporary Malay Wedding" runs from 27th June 2013 until 27th February 2014. The exhibition is open on Tuesdays to Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00am to 5.00pm; Fridays from 9.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm and close on Mondays.

Sigh... seeing all those designs made me wanna get married all over again... The museum was modern and spectacular the, and the 4-hour journey by bus to Pahang was so worth it. Here are some photos I took with  my fellow travellers:

With all my favourite fashion editors the different publications
Yana, fashion editor of EH! is gorgeous as always. Love her floral pants :)

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