By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 8: Centexs Commercial, a body that markets Sarawak heritage and digital products and services, has launched ‘The Juma’ani Pavilion’, Borneo’s first fashion hub aimed at driving the State’s creative economy and increasing Sarawak fashion products’ global presence that would in turn position Sarawak as an international fashion tourism destination in Borneo and Kalimantan.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah officiated at the opening ceremony of the Juma’ani Pavilion located at Vista Tunku Petra Jaya in Jalan Gersik here last night.
The one-stop hub for elegant and exquisite Sarawakian fashion products will be fully managed by Centexs Comercial, in collaboration with Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) and Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHe).
In his speech, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg believes that with all the facilities and services offered at the fashion hub, it will help raise the profile of local artisans and designers, nurture more talents alongside preserving Sarawak cultural heritage through fashion.
“Jumai’ani Pavilion is a fashion house specialising in design, production and sales of customised sustainable heritage products.
“Through this hub, the fashion industry in Sarawak is indirectly ready to place itself in the national and global markets in supporting the Sarawak government’s effort to boost the competitiveness of the creative economy.
“It also has potential to bring new innovations and strengthen collaboration in Sarawak’s fashion ecosystems,” he said in his text-of-speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Abang Johari expects that the Juma’ani Pavilion will benefit more fashion and textile entrepreneurs, especially to glorify Sarawak cultural heritage through large-scale production, branding, packaging and effective marketing.
“I also hope to see more strategic partnerships between producers, researchers, marketers and government agencies in steering the fashion and textile industry forward,” he added.
The Juma’ani Pavilion offers unique or exclusive, luxury to ready-to-wear fashion products ranging from clothing, accessories to household ware with cultural heritage elements created and produced by Centexs designers, trainers and Centexs graduates who are highly talented and skillful.
At the same time, it also produces products which are marketed under the Juma’ami by Centexs Heritage Fashion (CHF) brand.
The fashion hub also features Premium and Artisan galleries, a photo studio, spaces for textile and fabric showcase including songket and keringkam and workshops areas for local artisans and fashion designers.
Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and wife Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar, State Deputy Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, and Uggah’s wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
