Saloma retro fashion outfits to captivate visitors at exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- If the outfits once worn by Malaysia’s first Biduanita Negara (National Songbird) the late Puan Sri Saloma had captivated viewers on black and white television, imagine the stunning beautiful details when visitors get to look at them up close.

After almost 60 years, the beauty, uniqueness, colour of clothing and fashion accessories  that were once carried by Saloma or her real name Salmah Ismail, can now be viewed at the month-long P Ramlee and Saloma Exhibition until May 16 at Fahrenheit88 shopping mall here. 

Of the 29 artifacts on display, visitors would surely be enchanted by the retro dress once styled by Saloma, who was known as the "Pioneer of Malayan Fashion'’ in the Ragam P. Ramlee film released in 1964.

According to exhibition coordinator, Khairunnasya Mohamed Shazali, the special feature of the shimmering silver dress lies in the red SALOMA writing personally sewn by the fashion icon herself with sequins and cylindrical beads. 

In addition, the dress has a slit on the back, which was also designed by the legendary actress with the assistance of her close friend, Nona Asiah, who sewed the outfit.

"According to her close family and friends, Saloma had always been interested in fashion and loved sewing sequins and knitting and most of her outfits were her own creation.

“Apart from her beautiful and unique dress designs, Saloma was also famous for her hour-glass figure  with a waist size of around 22 inches, so we had to order a special mannequin to match the dresses," she told Bernama.

Khairunnasya said the unique fashion trend started by the Marilyn Monroe of the East, included the  kain kipas, peplum, kain sempit, kain belah and kebaya ketat  which still retained some oriental features with a touch of western style elements.

Also on display at the exhibition are the sunglasses, footwears and handbags of the "Bila Larut Malam’ singer, as well as 18 artifacts belonging to the country’s great artist, the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, which include his typewriter, violin, flute, and shoes.

Khairunnasya added that the artifacts being kept at the National Archives at the P Ramlee Memorial Library and P Ramlee Birthplace in Penang, underwent professional conservation techniques to ensure the heritage elements and fabrics are well-preserved.              

The exhibition is organised by the National Archives in collaboration with Fahrenheit88 shopping mall, in conjunction with the Aidilfitri ‘Raya Melodies’ campaign, in which the two figures have been chosen as the theme for the mall’s decoration.

-- BERNAMA