ID :
61936
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 18:12
Auther :

MALAYSIAN BARAKAFF BATIK DAZZLES U.S. MARKET

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 22 (Bernama) -- Leading Malaysian batik designer,
Sharifah Maheran Barakbah of Barakaff, dazzled the Torpedo Factory Art Center
here with her vibrant beach and resort wear collection to the delight of the
American audience.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center, home to an energetic and diverse art scene,
became the focal point for Americans and international visitors Wednesday night,
when Sharifah turned its main floor into a runway showcasing her exclusive line
of beach and resort wear on silk, satin and chiffon in time for the hot summer
months.

The crowd later visited her booth to purchase her items after seeing the
many styles of pareo, beach cover-ups, and tops that could be worn at the beach
or by the pool.

"It was a great batik show - the wonderful colors of her innovative design
really brought the Art Center to life!" said Jamaliah Morais, vice-president of
the Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which hosted the event organised
by MyBizCouncil.

Tourism Malaysia also sponsored the event to introduce Washingtonians to
Malaysia by hosting a booth, distributing promotional materials, and playing its
"Malaysia, Truly Asia" video.


Brought to the United States by MyBizCouncil, LLC, a private
Malaysian-American Business Networking Group in the United States, Sharifah was
earlier in New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut for three days to meet with
potential buyers in the beach and resort wear industry in meetings arranged by
the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) office in New
York.

"They (buyers) are definitely interested in my line and have asked me to
send samples to be shown in the upcoming Miami Fashion Week where the focus is
on beach and resort wear.

"Another buyer is interested in promoting my line for the international
cruise industry," said Sharifah, who could not contain her excitement at the
overwhelming response.

"An upscale boutique owner in the affluent Greenwich area in Connecticut has
asked me to design exclusive batik pareos for her next summer collection,"
Sharifah, 60, told Bernama.

"I am really grateful to Matrade and MyBizCouncil for working tirelessly in
helping Malaysian businesses like me promote my products and penetrate the
competitive US market," said Sharifah who has been in the batik business for
more than 30 years.

-- BERNAMA




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