Workshop Revives Batik Sarong Styling

By Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- In the past, Malay women used to wear unstitched batik cloth or kain batik lepas, draped as a sarong for both casual home wear and formal occasions.

However, with changing lifestyles, the use of kain batik lepas has declined as many have turned to more practical ready-to-wear batik outfits. For some, wearing kain batik lepas is considered complicated as it requires time and specific techniques to drape it properly.

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Seeing this, Zulaikha Zulkafli, owner of Andani Studio, organised a “Kain Styling” workshop at RIUH Raya Baik-Baik here recently to revive the charm of unstitched batik cloths and make them relevant for modern fashion.

She said the idea for the workshop came about when she realised that many people own kain batik lepas but do not know how to wear it neatly and stylishly.

“Nowadays, many only know how to wear a sewn sarong or ready-made outfits. In the past, most sarong styles were done manually with specific techniques, and it’s actually not difficult at all.

“When I did a survey, I found that many had the fabric but didn’t know how to wear it properly. So I teach the most basic techniques to help them gain confidence,” she told Bernama.

Zulaikha, 33, said self-confidence is crucial when learning the art of styling kain batik lepas.

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During the workshop, participants were introduced to basic styling techniques such as the wave-style sarong and pario, all of which can be achieved using just one piece of batik fabric.

The workshop also encouraged creativity, allowing participants to style batik fabrics according to the occasion and their personal taste.

“I realised that when starting this initiative, many people want to be ‘experts’ (at tying the sarong) before even trying. It’s really about confidence. If we are afraid to try for fear of making mistakes, fewer people will attempt it. Perfection comes later; what matters is practising continuously.

“The most fundamental thing when wearing kain batik lepas is to understand the type of fabric you want to use. Knowing whether the cloth is coarse or made of cotton helps you understand how it flows and how it will look when worn,” she explained.

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Participants were also taught how to ‘read’ the fabric’s patterns, including identifying the top and bottom sections and the arrangement of motifs, so the cloth can be worn neatly while respecting its original design.

Zulaikha noted that traditional batik patterns were created with great artistry and meaning, so understanding how to arrange them properly is also a form of appreciation for the craftsmanship.

“In the past, people painted and created fabric patterns with artistry. When we know how to read and wear the fabric correctly, we are actually honouring that art.

“Wearing the sarong is a regional cultural practice. Most of the (styling) techniques are similar, but each place has its own style. The key is to know the basics of tying and styling it,” she said, adding that she has also studied fabric-wrapping techniques in neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Singapore.

Zulaikha, who is from Kuala Lumpur, believes that reintroducing manual styling techniques can increase appreciation for local batik.

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Zalina Markisan, 55, who was among the workshop participants, said the techniques she learned opened new possibilities for wearing kain batik lepas.

“As Malays, we are familiar with wearing batik, but we don’t always know the correct way. When I saw this workshop, I was immediately interested in learning. I learned how to keep the fabric secure and neat. I feel our batik is very beautiful and unique, and the patterns are easy to mix and match with different styles,” she said.

The sales manager added that the workshop introduced about seven different tying techniques that participants can try on their own.

“Before, I just tied the fabric randomly, but now I know several neater ways. From now on, I can style it with more confidence,” she said.

-- BERNAMA