Thursday April 2, 2009

Grid girls set to make heads turn

By CHARLZ CHAN

THIS week in Kuala Lumpur, we will be flooded with fashion events that are held in support of Stylo for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

However, off the Stylo red carpet and the fashion runways, there is also fashion glamour at the Sepang F1 circuit.

This is supplied by batik designer Nazleen Noor with her costumes for the F1 grid girls for the race.

She unveiled her new creations recently at 2201 Fashion Avenue, The Gardens Midvalley City in Kuala Lumpur.

Comfortable: The grid girls showing off the new outfit for the race this weekend.

Five grid girls showed off what they would be wearing at the race.

The designer understood that her costumes had to be worn in hot and humid conditions at the Sepang F1 track. So comfort was a major factor that she had to consider.

With that in mind, she designed a modern kebaya top using translucent white cotton voile. She embellished it with traditional embroidery from the neckline down to the pointed hem at the front, and all the way along the back. That is about the only thing that is traditional, as she cut the sleeves short! Light and easy, contemporary with a traditional twist, this top is worn over a simple white cotton tube top.

The sarong worn with this ensemble is again not your traditional one. Nazleen has produced a batik pareo that is wrapped around the hips and then tied at the waist to suggest a sarong.

She stylized the Malaysian national flower, the bunga raya so it looked more modern and contemporary on the hand-drawn satin silk batik pareo. Using the Petronas corporate colours, it comes in a white or aquamarine base, with a touch of black, deco aqua and light grey.

This modern kebaya is sexy yet practical, and is sure to turn heads before the checkered flag is waved at Sepang.