AWARD-WINNING designer Kenny Loh will showcase his acclaimed work, including the ‘Enchanted Heritage’ piece and the sarong kebaya worn by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, during his first solo exhibition titled ‘Road to UNESCO: Sarong Kebaya Exhibition.’
The exhibition will be held at the OCBC Premier Banking on Beach Street in George Town from Oct 11 to 17.
The exhibition, open to the public from 10am to 4pm daily (except for the invitation-only opening ceremony), will feature 20 to 25 pieces of Loh’s sarong kebayas, complemented by a few pairs of beaded shoes to showcase the intricate craftsmanship.
Loh, who turns 46 next month, expressed excitement about displaying his creations, including his award-winning ‘Enchanted Heritage.’ This piece, which took him three months to complete, earned him the prestigious Hasanah Gold Threads Award in the Beadwork Category of Best Innovation on Sept 5 this year in Kuala Lumpur. The award came with a prize money of RM25,000, his largest cash prize to date.
A former nutritionist for over 10 years, Loh ventured into the Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe business in 2017. Since founding Kenny Loh Couture, he has garnered numerous accolades, including his fourth Malaysia Good Design Award, which he received on June 12, 2024, in Putrajaya.
His other awards include the Couture Designer Award and the Icon Fashion Designer Award. Loh’s work has been featured at prominent events in Japan, China, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
Reflecting on the significance of the Hasanah Gold Thread Award, Loh explained: “This award is very precious and special to me, unlike the Malaysia Good Design Award, which I have won four times.
“I was close to winning it last year, and I set a goal to achieve it this time. There are many talented artisans in Malaysia, particularly from Kraftangan Malaysia, and I used the Hasanah Gold Threads Award as a benchmark to elevate my craft.
“I hope that my award will inspire other young artisans and designers to pursue a full-time career in this creative industry. We’ve many skilled artisans in Penang.
“Before World War II, Penang was a hub for Nyonya kebaya customisation. Today, while most of my customers are mainly from Singapore, I have clients from Europe.”
Loh humorously recalled the moment he learned about his win: “I was in a toilet in Pattaya when I got the news, and my hands were shaking!”
Loh, who recently earned a doctorate from a university in Indonesia, explained that his dedication to the Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe industry stems from a desire to preserve his family’s and Penang’s cultural legacy.
“The Nyonya kebaya and beaded shoe business is a sunset industry, but I’m driven to keep it alive. We have Nyonya cuisine, but I chose to focus on Nyonya kebayas and beaded shoes.”
Loh’s ‘Enchanted Heritage’ was inspired by the peacock motifs commonly found on Nyonya beaded shoes. The piece, crafted with thousands of tiny beads, depicts a pair of peacocks and roses set against a turquoise green background. The peacocks, symbolising grace and dignity, alongside the roses, which add a touch of Western influence, beautifully showcase the elegance of Peranakan artistry.
In addition to traditional kebayas, Loh also designs modern short kebayas and sleeveless kebaya tops, catering to younger generations and keeping the fashion relevant.
Loh expressed pride in being one of three designers selected to create Nyonya kebayas for Chinese actress Fan Bingbing when she debuted as Melaka’s tourism ambassador in June. After receiving her measurements, Loh presented several designs, from which Fan selected three. She wore one of them, a pink kebaya, during her time in Melaka.
“She chose a colour that suited her well,” Loh said, adding that Fan later commented on the Malaysian heat, which caused the kebaya and skirt to become soaked.
Loh also announced plans to donate the Nyonya kebaya worn by Fan to a charity event, saying, “I’m waiting for the right opportunity to give back to the community.”
Wong Hon Wai, the state executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, praised Loh for elevating Penang’s fashion on the global stage and serving as a cultural ambassador.
“Through his designs, Mr Loh has preserved and promoted our cultural heritage, ensuring that it continues to inspire future generations,” Wong said.
Wong also highlighted the active practice of Baba Nyonya culture across Southeast Asia.
Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand jointly submitted a nomination for kebaya to be included on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last year.
In addition, Malaysia and China are working together to have the lion dance recognised, while Malaysia and Singapore are collaborating on the listing of chingay.
The exhibition promises to be a celebration of Penang’s rich cultural heritage and a showcase of Baba Kenny Loh’s exceptional craftsmanship.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian