Loh showing the iconic sarong kebaya worn by Fan during her visit to Melaka in June. On his left is the award-winning ‘Enchanted Heritage’. With him is Wong (left).
AWARD-WINNING Penang designer Kenny Loh is set to dazzle the audience with his exceptional creations at his inaugural solo exhibition “Road to Unesco: Sarong Kebaya Exhibition”.
The event will feature Loh’s celebrated works including the iconic sarong kebaya worn by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing in her role as Visit Melaka Year 2024 ambassador in June.
He said he was proud to be one of three designers chosen to craft the bespoke Nyonya kebaya for Fan.
After receiving Fan’s measurements, Loh presented her with a selection of designs, from which she chose three.
She wore one of them – a pink kebaya during her time in Melaka.
“She chose a colour that suited her well,” said Loh, adding that Fan later commented on the Malaysian heat, which caused the kebaya and sarong to become drenched.
In addition to showcasing his creations, Loh spoke of his intention to donate the Nyonya kebaya worn by Fan to a charitable cause.
“I’m eagerly awaiting for the right moment to give back to the community,” Loh said to Buletin Mutiara.
He said he was excited about displaying his other creations including his award-winning “Enchanted Heritage” piece.
The design earned him a prestigious Hasanah Gold Threads Award in the Beadwork Category of Best Innovation on Sept 5 in Kuala Lumpur.
It came with a prize money of RM25,000.
Loh said the award was special to him.
“I was close to winning it last year and I set a goal to achieve it this time,” he said.
The piece was inspired by the peacock motifs commonly found on beaded Nyonya shoes.
A close-up of the embroidery on Loh’s kebaya design. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara
Crafted with thousands of tiny seed beads, the artwork depicted a pair of peacocks and roses set against a turquoise green background.
The peacocks, symbolising grace and dignity, alongside the roses which add a Western touch, beautifully showcase the elegance of Peranakan artistry.
“There are many talented artisans in Malaysia, particularly from Kraftangan Malaysia, and I used the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards as a benchmark to elevate my craft.
“I hope that my award inspires other young artisans and designers to pursue a full-time career in this industry.
“We have many skilled artisans in Penang.
“Before World War II, Penang was a hub for Nyonya kebaya customisation.
“Today, most of my customers are from Singapore and some from Europe.”
A former nutritionist, Loh, a fifth generation Baba, ventured into the Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe industry in 2017.
Since founding Kenny Loh Couture, he has gained numerous accolades, including his fourth Malaysia Good Design Award, which he received on June 12 in Putrajaya.
His other awards include the Couture Designer Award and Icon Fashion Designer Award.
Loh’s work has been featured at events in Japan, China, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
His dedication to the Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe industry stems from a desire to preserve the cultural legacy of his family and that of Penang.
“The Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe business are a sunset industry but I am driven to keep it alive.
“We have Nyonya cuisine but I chose to focus on the Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoes,” said Loh, 46.
In addition to traditional kebayas, he also designs modern short kebayas and sleeveless kebaya tops, catering to younger generations.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai praised Loh for taking Penang’s fashion to the global stage and for serving as a cultural ambassador.
“Through his designs, Loh has preserved and promoted our cultural heritage, ensuring that it continues to inspire future generations,” said Wong.
The “Road to Unesco: Sarong Kebaya Exhibition” will be held at OCBC Premier Banking in Beach Street, George Town, Penang, from Oct 11 to 17.
It is open to the public from 10am to 4pm daily (except for the invitation-only opening ceremony) and will feature 20 to 25 pieces of Loh’s sarong kebaya and beaded shoes.
