Malaysian designer Alia Bastamam designs resort wear inspired by The Datai Langkawi
Malaysian fashion designer Alia Bastamam launched her Resort 2023 collection, aptly titled ‘Oasis’, at The Datai Langkawi earlier this month. The line includes a capsule collection that was inspired by The Datai Langkawi, with six elegant looks available for purchase exclusively at The Boutique of The Datai Langkawi, the aliabastamam.com website or on appointment at the Alia Bastamam showroom in Kuala Lumpur.
Guests at the resort were welcomed by General Manager Arnaud Girodon with an introduction and an authentic Malaysian dinner at The Gulai House, with rustic décor in true Kampung-style.
After a night’s rest amid nature and surrounded by The Datai Langkawi’s ancient rainforest, guests assembled at The Lobby Lounge the next afternoon to get their first glimpse of the Oasis collection. Models reflecting the multi-ethnic makeup of Malaysia’s population walked the length of the lily pond, which was converted into a runway for the occasion. With the backdrop of lush greens of the majestic trees abundant on the property, paired with the bright pinks of the water lilies, Alia Bastamam’s newest designs shone in their full glamour. The day ended in a celebration by the resort’s Beach Club, where the designer was on hand to relay insights into the inspiration behind her line, and a celebrity DJ played vibrant tunes to celebrate the successful fashion launch.
For Resort 2023, the Alia Bastamam woman is on a journey to find solitude and beauty in her own Oasis: “With so much happening in our fast-paced world today, sometimes we forget to connect with ourselves. So, in creating this collection, I imagined my Alia Bastamam woman in her piece of paradise where she can escape to rest her body and soul,” the designer quips about her continuous source of inspiration - her Alia Bastamam woman. “I pictured her escaping a dry, chaotic landscape and into this utopia of lush greens, flowing streams of water and the echoing sounds of nature.” Alia takes a breath, as if rejuvenated, “In a sense, it’s a place she can be free, liberated from any constraints; a place she can just be.”
A special contribution is being made to The Datai Pledge from all sales of the Alia Bastamam x The Datai Langkawi collaboration: 5% of all sales from all platforms, as well as 50% of the share of The Datai Langkawi of all profits are going to The Datai Pledge, to support the ambitious conservation and sustainability initiatives under the programme, such as a wide-reaching reforestation programme, the creation of possibly the first island-wide wildlife corridor connecting fragmented habitats, coral regeneration efforts in Datai Bay, and more.
The Datai Langkawi not only enters into collaborations with high-fashion labels such as Alia Bastamam, but also runs an ongoing initiative supporting local artists and artisans with the resort’s Artist-in-Residence programme. Artists who have held workshops and showcases at the resort include Harith Ridzuan, a designer-maker of sustainable furniture and home & living products from Kuala Lumpur and founder of 'The Green Factory'; Beatrice Hew, who specialises in glass upcycling, and Rebecca Yau, a local upcycling artist who focuses on repurposing discarded materials. Guests can meet artists, learn about their craft, and experience a living exhibition of their work during interactive workshops. Various activities and live art showcases are available on a rotational basis, including batik painting, traditional weaving, local artefacts and many more.
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