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Mix & match batik

BY KEE HUA CHEE
Pictures by STEVEN LEE & AZHAR MAHFOF

Of course, it takes a Mat Salleh to recognise the potential of a fabric we take for granted. Most Malaysians wear batik only at official functions.  

“Malaysia is unique because of your harmonious racial blend,” says South African-born Eric Way, 34. 

“Though a Muslim nation, other religions are practised freely. I love Malaysia for its multi-cultural way of life and because it reminds me of South Africa’s vibrant colours.”  

Way and partner Martyn Tickner were in Kuala Lumpur for a-month-and-a-half recently. 

“Then there is the food. Oh, I can never have enough and, best of all, the hawker stalls are open 24 hours a day. You can never get such things in London with its ridiculously high labour costs.’’  

Unlike most foreigners, he relishes the King of Fruits. “I love durians and can eat tons. Briyani chicken rice, Hainanese chicken rice and Chinese food also top my list. As proof, I have piled on several kilos,” he sighs. 

Batik flora & fauna 

“Motifs that are timeless and universally appealing are flowers, birds and animals. I feature the hibiscus, Malaysia’s national flower, prominently in my designs as it’s considered exotic in England.  

“However, I mix the hibiscus with the classic English rose in tribute to the First Ladies of Malaysia and Britain, Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood and Cherie Blair.”  

His other clients include Ivana Trump, Shirley Bassey, Jilly Johnson, Nabila Kashoggi (daughter of billionaire oil trader Adnan Kashoggi), fellow South African Charlize Theron, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Kristin Davis of Sex and the City. 

“I also include the dragonfly, butterfly, fish and various tropical elements that evoke endless summer and shimmery delights. The vivid colours are perfect for summer and brighten up our gloomy winter.  

“I do my own designs and give my sketches to Khalid Shamsuddin, one of Malaysia’s top batik artisans, who materialises them on silk,” says the charming designer. 

Almost all his outfits are geared for the London and New York markets where he participates in their annual Fashion Weeks.  

“The ethnic look can only go so far, which explains why the Chinese cheongsam, Japanese kimono and Indian sari are seldom worn in their entirety in the West unless it’s for a costume party. 

”So I have mixed and matched batik with modern styling. I team a batik blouse with a pair of blue jeans, or sarong wrap with camisole and beaded spencer jacket,” says Way.  

He shows some stunning ensembles: a pair of pink dragonfly silk batik pants with sexy bustier, a high-necked blouse with ruffled skirt, batik outer jacket edged with rabbit fur, green empire-cut, billowy dress with blue hibiscus and a floral shawl paired with a business suit. 

Prices are equally European, starting at RM1,300 to RM4,500 for a batik outfit, while his nonbatik evening gowns cost RM13,000. 

His latest catalogue features his favourite Malaysian model Fazdlun Abas and Danielle Lloyd, the reigning Miss England 2005 (seen on the cover and here). 

“Naturally the location has to be in Malaysia and we chose Sunway Lagoon Resort and Hotel in Bandar Sunway as the ideal venue. It has all the dreamy landscapes we Londoners fantasise about and show my clothes to perfection in their natural environment,” he grins. 

Eric Way designed all these outfits.

Way also works with Lew Fong Voon, owner of Lewre Shoes, who painstakingly handbeads Swarovski crystals onto the batik shoes. 

Malaysia’s mosaic of cultures, primal forests and friendly people have so inspired him that he has set up a production base in Kuala Lumpur. 

He has just bought a condominium (“I thought of expanding my kitchen and patio in London till I discovered it costs the same to buy a whole flat in KL!”) and most of his Autumn/Winter 2005/6 collection has been produced here in Kuala Lumpur. 

The batik collection called Totally Tropical will be on sale from September at Harrods of London and Saks Fifth Avenue of New York. W