Utusan Online - 11/07/2009
Tuanku Zahirah Foundation produce light-weight contemporary songket

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (right) and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah (second, right) looking at the Royal Terengganu Songket products during an arrival to attend the Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah "The Songket Ball" at a leading hotel here, today. Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah has created a new generation of songket weavers using light weight contemporary designs to revive the craft and industry.

KUALA LUMPUR July 10 — The Tuanku Zahirah Foundation has managed to produce light-weight contemporary songket while maintaining its traditional elements after a year of development, said the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nor Zahirah.

She said the foundation, set up two years ago, wanted to make songket more accessible to Malaysians, as well as taking it global.

“We were faced with the daunting task of changing the mindset of producers who were used to conventional weaving techniques. However, we believe the potential of revolutionising the local cottage industry is bearing results today.

“We also believe that this new generation songket will find its deserving place beyond traditional uses and Malaysian shores,” she said at the Songket Ball here, tonight.

Tuanku Nur Zahirah is the patron of the foundation.

Also present at the function were the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and the Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The event also showcased outfits using light-weight contemporary songket produced by the foundation’s weavers and designed by top local designers namely Tom Abang Saufi, Radzuan Radziwill, Melinda Looi, Jovian Mandagie, Rizalman Ibrahim, Tangoo and Pink Jambu.

- BERNAMA

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