From East Malaysia, by East Malaysians: Tribute to Sabah, Sarawak Brands
Merdeka is not the only celebration that gets our patriotism flying high 🇲🇾
The unification of Sabah, Sarawak and Tanah Melayu marked Malaysia’s second most important date to celebrate 🎉
In light of this year’s Malaysia Day, Malacca will be hosting this year’s celebration on 16th September 2022 at the Proclamation of Independence Memorial in Bandar Hilir 📍
Image credit: Rapid KL
Their exciting plan includes inviting Malaysians to liven up the celebration by donning traditional 1960s fashion.
Not sure of what locals wore during the 1960s? 🙆🏻♀️ Here are a few great examples for ✨inspiration✨
Image credit: Wikipedia & Peggy Loh
Psst… peek at Gene Martino’s collection while you’re at it 👀 Their traditional-inspired apparels are gorgeous 🤩
Image credit: Gene Martino
Other than these Malaysian classics, you can even consider wearing eye-catching ethnic fashion from East Malaysia.
Image credit: MySabah
Malaysia wouldn’t be complete without Sabah, Sarawak, and their enriching culture.
So, to commemorate their union with Tanah Melayu back in 1963, let’s support these Sabah, Sarawak brands that celebrate their culture 🙌🏻
💫 Best Sabah, Sarawak Brands💫
1. Okego Apparel
With a following of 10.2k on Instagram, Okego Apparel is a Sabah-based brand that takes out shirt designers’ imagination and brings it to reality 😍
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Being the Jester brand that they are, Okego Apparel’s designs mostly showcase the beauty of Sabah in parodic illustrations. These are a few of our most favourite picks from Okego!
Image credit: Okego Apparel
2. Anting by Camilla
Based in Sabah, Anting by Camilla is known for their elegant designs and the intricate details of their work. If you’re a jewellery junkie, you would love what they have in store.
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Even their Instagram feed exudes a sense of calm, elegance, and refinement.
Image credit: Anting by Camilla
It’s clear that their brand archetype leans toward the Ruler, giving a sense of class and quality to their customers 👑
Complement your Malaysia Day wardrobe with Anting by Camilla’s accessories and shine like the star that you are 🌟
In Gen Z slang: It’s giving 🔥 SLAY QUEEN 🔥
2. Olumes
Winning the Beauty Insider Award in July 2022 for Best Toner, Olumes is a KL-based brand that utilises Kalalit water sourced in abundance from Mount Kinabalu.
Image credit: Olumes
Inspired by her grandmother during a visit to her hometown in Sabah, Olumes’ founder Aerin was determined to share this secret ingredient of Kalalit extract to the world.
Image credit: Olumes
On a side note, Olumes is a noteworthy brand when it comes to raising brand awareness.
They have been featured in multiple media coverages, attended many networking events (Brand360’s Julia met her once!) and their platforms are consistently updated.
I’m sure their followers would agree when I say Olumes is recognised among the community as a friendly and caring skincare brand everyone should support 🥰
4. Tanoti Crafts
As a leading Sarawak brand in the world of handmade products, Tanoti Crafts focuses on the beauty of woven textures and traditional designs.
Image credit: Tanoti Crafts
With their headquarters based in Kuching, Sarawak, Tanoti Crafts serves as an important link between the Sarawak culture and modern couture, in the hopes of reviving traditional artistry.
Just recently, during the KL fashion week, Tanoti Crafts collaborated with Dickson Lim for a one-of-a-kind piece that portrayed Sarawak textiles in a chic coat dress.
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This brilliant creation is a tell-tale sign that Tanoti Crafts is a Creator brand archetype who strives to encourage talent while being loyal to Sarawak culture.
I so wish I can buy this piece and/or their other Sabah, Sarawak branded pieces for Malaysia Day celebration this year 🥺💸
5. Just Mar’s
I’m pretty sure everyone has heard of Penan Bags before, right? If you haven’t heard of it, you must have at least seen it!
Image credit: Just Mar’s
Named after the indegeniouos women weavers of Penan, Penan bags were once used as farm baskets.
Nowadays, the baskets are well-adapted into the society as people from all over the country (and even Bruneians) use them as their go-to handbags 🛍️
Some people would even refer to Penan Bags as ‘Poket Doraemon’ since they can hold so much 😂
Quick disclaimer, I actually have one of Just Mar’s Penan Bag at home and I absolutely LOVE my ‘Poket Doraemon’ 🫢
Image credit: Just Mar’s
Aside from Penan Bags, Just Mar’s also have an array of traditional-inspired products from batik clothes to batik scrunchies.
You too can look your best this Malaysia Day celebration with Just Mar’s!
6. Left & Right
The last (but not least) Sabah, Sarawak brand you should support this Malaysia Day is Left & Right. No, not the Charlie Puth x Jungkook collaboration 🙅🏻♀️
Left & Right was founded by Sarawkians, Eileen Phoan and Fabian Tan, who specialise in customised jewellery. They aim to ‘translate real life stories into heirlooms’.
Image credit: Left & Right
Share your stories with Eileen and Fabian to get your very own personalised jewelleries of your choice – ring, necklace, charm, earrings etc. Or you can order them for a loved one 💝
Image credit: Left & Right
All in all 🔑
Our Independence Day and Malaysia Day are both equally important. These occasions symbolise Malaysians coming together and supporting one another. What better way to play our role as part of this diverse and beautiful country than supporting each other in our endeavours, right?
Take this chance to applaud these Sabah, Sarawak brands that portray the most charming and appealing stories of their culture ❤️ Now that’s a brand strategy I’d love to get behind.
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