Malaysian Artisan Brings ASEAN Fabrics To Life One Bag At A Time

By Aisha Hani Nor Azmir

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Various fabrics that reflect the identity of a country, cultural origins and traditional materials are being transformed into functional art - one handmade bag at a time - with each bag a testament to Southeast Asia’s shared yet diverse identity.

What began as a humble charity project in 2018 has blossomed into a cherished artisan brand, blending heritage fabrics from various countries, including ASEAN, with contemporary craftsmanship.

At the heart of this initiative is a Malaysian artisan, Woon Huey Sy, whose mission is to celebrate and preserve the region's textile traditions.

Her creations, under the label Hueysybags, feature rich tapestries of culture namely Kelantanese tenun, Brunei songket, Thai silk, hand-dyed Malaysian batik and Pua Kumbu.

“This collection is made specially for the ASEAN event. Each one uses a fabric that tells a story,” the artisan shared, gesturing to an array of vibrant bags on display.

Among the standout pieces are those made from the Kelantanese tenun, a handwoven textile known for its intricate patterns and deep cultural roots, Brunei’s luxurious songket and the traditional Pua Kumbu, a design indigenous to Malaysia’s Sarawak region.

Woon said production of the handmade bags is intentionally small-scale, with each fabric yielding only seven to 15 bags, making every piece unique and exclusive.

“My goal is to show that Malaysian crafters exist and our work deserves to be seen. There are so many talented hands in this country, and we need more platforms to celebrate them,” she said.

Woon’s passion is more than craft -- it is about connection to culture, to community and to the stories that weave them together.

Despite never having sewn before, she learned the art through video calls with a friend’s grandmother in Japan, overcoming language barriers along the way, an inspiring journey mirrored in every bag she makes.

Hueysybags is among the exhibitors at a sales and exhibition fair held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit.

The event, which features 36 booths with 25 exhibitors, is open to the public from today until Sunday, and to ASEAN delegates on May 26 and 27.

Themed ‘The Heritech Malaysia’- a wordplay combining heritage and technology, the event offers visitors the chance to witness live demonstrations of local craft-making, including gold thread embroidery, weaving and batik canting, and interact with digital displays and video presentations.

The 46th ASEAN Summit, set for May 26-27 at KLCC, will gather leaders from the bloc’s member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and advance the principles of inclusivity and sustainability.

Kuala Lumpur will also concurrently host the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit.

-- BERNAMA