Octane writer documents Edric Ong’s journey from his hometown Kuching to London, Brandisi, Italy and Uzbekhistan.
Edric Ong’s journey to spread the craftsmanship and establish the unique beauty of Malaysian Borneo’s allure of ethnic and Oriental contemporary styles began at the London Fashion Film Festival (LFFF) in London on 19th September, 2023.
The EO brand by Edric Ong is in the forefront of Eco-Fashion, working with communities of weavers and crafts artists of the Iban tribe in Sarawak . ‘Hand-made’ designs and patterns are designed on handwoven silks and cotton. Based out of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, Edric Ong is a multi-awarded Malaysian designer of natural dye textiles, fashion and crafts having won the UNESCO-ASEAN Crafts Seals of Excellence Japanese “G” mark awards by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation (JIDPO).
The Edric Ong Spring Summer 2023 Collection featured natural tree bark cloth from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo with manipulation in shibori and origami with a touch of natural indigo dye!
The Collection also features the unique textile techniques of Iban women weavers namely ‘pua kumbu’, ‘pua sungkit’, ‘pua pilih’ and ‘pua karap’ combined with hand spun hand-woven silks and knitted hemp. Some are rarely seen nowadays and all are one-of-a-kind pieces. The unique rattan ‘topi tunjang’ hats and the hand-made accessories are also a signature style of Ong’s.
The curtains rose on a dazzling milestone as the London Fashion Film Festival (LFFF) celebrated its grand 10th annual extravaganza. Fashion and film enthusiasts converged from the far reaches of the globe to at the heart of London, where the enchanting VUE-WEST END venue awaited
“But to present them at a prestigious fashion event in London is an excellent platform for promoting our Iban textiles, and also the craft artists who have made my fashion accessories such as the beaded necklaces and the rattan ‘topi tunjang’ hats,” he said, thanking the women weavers of Rumah Garie longhouse, Sungai Kain in Ulu Kapit as well as fellow artists Juliana Embrose and Abot Gudang for their awesome accessories”.
Edric’s continued his journey to Brandisi Italy.
Tree bark cloth is an indigenous native material worn as vests, skirts and loin cloth. Edric is innovating the material for use in contemporary fashion! Hand-made accessories and hats are also a signature style of Edric Ong. The collection especially presents a revival Paracas double loop knitted neckpieces from Peru.
Edric Ong went on from Brandisi, Italy to the city of Kokand, Fergana region, where the First International Festival of Craftsmen was held. Every two years in September, the ancient city of Kokand in Fergana region of Uzbekistan is turned to be the liveliest and brightest city in Uzbekistan. Event is focused on bringing awareness to the rich history and culture of Kokand. Kokand, a city which was a stopping point for the great Silk Road caravans and to this day the people have maintain the region’s heritage and fine traditions of their indigenouse arts and crafts.
