By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 27: Centexs Commercial through Juma’ani Pavilion (JP) is collaborating with skilled native artisans and independent designers to help bring their products into the mainstream marketplace and raise their profile in the creative economy.
Centexs Commercial general manager Shahren Yusri said JP is Sarawak’s first fashion hub established for Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) students and the local community.
“We carry the products of local artisans, crafters and designers because we want to encourage our local talents to produce more and diverse products made in Sarawak.
“With JP, the work of these talented designers and artisans can be showcased and give them the well-deserved attention. JP also provides them an exclusive avenue to sell their unique and beautiful products,” he told DayakDaily in an interview.
The curated collection of heritage clothing, accessories, jewellery and other handcrafted products such as beaded necklaces and earrings, Sarawakian weaved baskets, bags and clutches, homeware and tiered steel tiffins are featured at the JP’s Artisan Boutique.
“Our business model is slightly different from others as we deal with a wide network of industry stakeholders and organisations which will bring opportunities as well as benefit and support the development of local talented creators and entrepreneurs,” Shahren said.
He believes that nurturing local craftsmanship is crucial to keep Sarawak’s tradition and heritage alive through the preservation of heritage techniques that have been handed down by the generations before them.
With that, Centexs has also come up with the Fashion Technology (Heritage Textile) programme for songket weaving and keringkam embroidery. — DayakDaily
