Thursday September 15, 2005
Adding colour to their lives
By CHIN MUI YOON
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Anyone can wear them, even if you are 85 years old, like Ruby Chan. |
Chew is one of the many city youth who have caught on to the trend of wearing wristbands that carry strong messages of life.
“I chose orange as it’s my favourite colour,” said Chew at Monash University where he is pursuing a challenging mechatronics engineering degree. “It has the words Never Say Never, hence it reminds me not to give up so easily.”
He proudly displayed a grey band, bearing the words Aim High.
“Grey pretty much sums up my personality,” said Chew. “I’ve never taken a black or white outlook on life as I’m pretty much a neutral sort of guy,” he said. “Both bands serve as constant reminders for me to do my best, yet not be extreme about things.”
The wristband culture caught on with Malaysian youth in July when they became widely available through McDonald’s True Colours Bands promotion.
British clothing store Topshop added to the momentum by selling an exclusive collection of 1,000 Friendship Bracelets for charity and Topman followed this with its Male Cancer Awareness bracelets.
Earlier, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia roped in some celebrities to create awareness towards its Celebrate Life wristband in May.
Vinyl bands were originally used to identify paying patrons at public places such as clubs and amusement parks.
Today, such wristbands aren't mere identification tags. The rubber, silicon or jelly bracelets are unique accessories for the socially aware who signify their support for a campaign such as cancer research or even an anti-bullying drive.
Different colours highlight different campaigns. Sometimes it means something to suit certain individuals.
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Loving the coloured bands are (from left) Chew, Kevan Yong, 17, Nathaniel Ho, 18, Joshua, Sarah Lim, 18, and Rachel Chan, 17. |
The illness led to the start of a foundation for cancer research and support under his name, which began selling simple yellow wristbands bearing the words Livestrong for US$1 (about RM3.8) each. The bold, banana yellow colour signified the winning jerseys Armstrong wore.
Since then, the innocuous strips of colour bands have been sighted on the wrists of no less than British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The BBC in March reported Blair as wearing a white Make Poverty History wristband during a trip to a hospital in Edgware north of London.
Another report had English football captain David Beckham distributing the one-millionth wristband to a young pupil in Cheshire in an anti-bullying campaign for children. Ironically, the highly desirable bands made several of those who wore them targets of school bullies.
The trend sparked a galaxy of Hollywood celebrities photographed at public events with the bands around their wrists. They included Madonna, Pamela Anderson and Britney Spears. Britain’s Prince William was sighted sporting the original Livestrong band and footballers were seen championing causes by wearing the bracelets on the pitch.
Stylish, trendy and affordable are the many reasons for the bands’ popularity.
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The coloured bands boldly indicate the wearer's beliefs, mission and focus on life. |
The colour bands go beyond must-have stuffs like branded jeans or sneakers – they also make a statement about an individual’s aim and outlook in life.
Such messages are highly favoured by young people in an age when each of them is seeking an identity to set themselves apart from the pack. Most of all, the bands go well with just about any outfit and colour.
Nicholas Yap Tze Sheng, 18, is banded each day with a different colour. The business diploma student at Life College in Petaling Jaya said he wore black on Mondays, yellow on Tuesdays, blue for Wednesdays followed by red for Thursdays and green for Fridays.
The wristbands appealed to him, he said, after he saw his favourite footballer Thierry Henry from English League club Arsenal wearing an intertwined black and white band during a match in support of an anti-racism campaign.
“I have a number of bands with statements such Celebrate Life, Dream Big, Confidence, Respect and a copy of the original Stand Up Speak Up anti-racism band from the UK,” said Yap.
“They are really cool and I love wearing them, as I find them motivating and are a persistent reminder to make the most of my life and to think big.”
A copywriter with RA Advertising, Joshua Chan, 25, said he had heard of the wristband trend last year but did not have an opportunity to buy any in Malaysia until McDonald’s introduced them.
“Suddenly the bands are a must-have among my friends,” he said.
“Now we can get it easily at the little pushcarts in Times Square or Sungai Wang Plaza. They are cheap at only a ringgit or three each. It’s hard getting the original bands though.
“I have only two bands – a white one that says Respect, and a yellow band with the words Think Big.
“The messages are simple but they are reminders for me and me alone.”
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