Malaysian crafts in limelight at Harrods

Our heritage, our pride..let's hope it will not end here..:):)

London, 26th February 2009- IT was the moment everybody was waiting for. Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, dressed in a pink outfit, walked the short distance to the podium at Georgian Restaurant to declare open the month-long Malaysian craft promotion at the prestigious Harrods department store.

Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah of Malaysia receives a gift from the owner of Harrods Mohammed Al-Fayed while attending the launch ceremony of a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

She was accompanied by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Harrods' owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed. To the thunderous beat of the kompang, she then signed a plaque to mark the occasion.

The grand opening marked the culmination of a year-long collaboration between the ministry and the management of Harrods, which sees 3,173 types of products from 66 designers -- ranging from home furnishings, fashion wear and accessories made from forest-based, earth-based, metal and textile-based materials -- being put on display at the store.The designers include Kirana, Edric Ong, Suhairi Marlina, Kartini, Nazari Maarus, Raziah Yusof and Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah.But even as the launch was taking place, there were enquiries and sales have been encouraging.

King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Malaysia is met by the owner of Harrods Mohammed Al-Fayed as he arrives at a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

"I have been informed by the management of Harrods that not only enquiries are increasing, people are also buying. I hope that we will be able to sustain this," said Shafie after the launch."What is important is that we keep abreast with the current needs of the market," The minister said he had discussed with Al Fayed about selling the most successful products under the prestigious Harrods' brand.

Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah of Malaysia is met by the owner of Harrods Mohammed Al-Fayed as she arrives at a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

"What is important on our part is to ensure quality. At the same time, we must ensure there is ample supply."Al Fayed said he was impressed with the quality of the products and that his daughter, Jasmine, who has a boutique at the department store, was also interested in the Malaysian products.

Traditional Malay dancers entertain at the launch ceremony of a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods, attended by The King and Queen of Malaysia on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

The launch was graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Sultan Ahmad Shah and Sultanah Kalsom of Pahang. Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said she hoped the government would continue to support and aid fashion designers and handicraft makers to enable them to develop products fit for the global market.

A model walks down the runway wearing a hand drawn batik satin silk dress at the launch ceremony of a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods, attended by The King and Queen of Malaysia on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

Guests and shoppers were entertained by a traditional dance and a fashion show during the launch.Dancers from the Istana Budaya gave a delightful performance that offered glimpses of a multicultural Malaysia.The grand opening was attended by some famous names, including Lady Raine Spencer, stepmother of the late Princess Diana and Malaysian designers Datuk Jimmy Choo, Datuk Bernard Chandran and Justin Oh.Earlier on Wednesday, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Britain, Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohamed and his wife, Datin Munah Razak, hosted a dinner for the royal couple.

Another hand drawn batik satin silk dress at the launch ceremony of a Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods, attended by The King and Queen of Malaysia on February 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

The promotion at Harrods, which began on Feb 23, will end on March 28.

Source: Zaharah Othman for NST