S’wakian Fashion Designer Edric Ong To Debut Iban Textiles At London Fashion Week On Malaysia Day

By Quinny Tan  •  09 Sep 2022 in Fashion

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When it comes to talent, there’s no hiding it. For fashion design students who might have lost confidence, let this guy be your inspiration…

Sarawakian fashion designer Edric Ong is set to debut his 14-piece collection at London Fashion Week (LFW) on Malaysia Day, 16 September. How fitting!

In an interview with The Borneo Post, he thanked his sponsor The Style Showcase, Chicago under Wajahat Mirzaasaid, and said, “This is the first time I am showing at LFW and I’m very proud to be an invited designer by the organisers.”

Edric is known for his specialised work that has been described as stylistic and elegant, yet traditional and time-honoured pieces. He’s worked with Iban weavers in his hometown and will be featuring the first ever showcase of Iban textiles on the runway in London.

In the past, he’s showcased Iban textiles at curated exhibitions at the Prince of Wales Gallery and also at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS London.

“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.

He’s also appeared in numerous international shows in Japan, Korea, Milan, and Los Angeles.

A veteran in the industry, he has won the prestigious Designer of the Year Award at the Mercedes Benz-Stylo Fashion Week held right here in Kuala Lumpur in 2009.

The Edric Ong Spring Summer 2023 Collection 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.

He also shares that a fellow Sarawakian will be his muse for the show, referring to Paris Lai who had been modelling for Edric since she was 16-years-old and is currently studying in London.

As for acknowledgements, he thanks 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.

Congratulations, Edric! Let this be a lesson to remind ourselves to not let our geographical circumstances hinder us from showcasing our talent abroad.