20100210

Kebaya~

...errr Kebaya what???
I've been a great admirer of textile, traditional costumes & cultures...
~learning more about them is such a pleasure!
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The Kebaya is a beautiful, usually translucent & embroidered blouse worn with a batik sarong by the ladies...it is a work of art, a labor of love, heritage...

A traditional costume that is timeless~

Here are more interesting facts about the kebaya from Wikipedia. The earliest form of kebaya was first came from the north of the Indonesian archipelago. The clothing type began to spread to Malacca, Java, Bali, Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi. After hundred years of acculturation, the garments have become adjusted to local customs and culture. Prior 1600, kebaya on Java island were considered as a sacred clothing to be worn only by members of the Javanese monarchy. During Dutch colonization of the island, European women began wearing kebaya as formal dress. During this period, kebaya, that was originally made from mori fabric, were modified with silk embroidered with colorful patterns. ~to read more click here
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I found this on-line-shop that ships internationally!
[range about US$70 - US$900 for the most elaborate]
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Here are more lovely close-up details
on the embroidery ~take a look:
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~a little trivia:
Singapore Airlines Stewardesses wear a rather more tight-fitting interpretation of the traditional Kebaya. Their Kebaya uniform, designed by the fame French haute couture designer Pierre Balmain in 1972
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" Ladies, you look so fabulousssss... "
~ whether traditional or the new & updated interpretation
of the Kebaya...I'm planning to get one while in Singapore.
I think wearing a Kebaya top & pair it with my favorite jeans
would be quite a fabulous look no?!
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~XOXO*
via Singapore
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-Pics via Betelbox,NyonyapendekMalaka,Travelasia.one.Yesterday.sg,Wikipedia.com

45 comments:

Adele said...

oh i LOOOOVE kebayas. they are soo elegant (: you're in SINGAPORE!! have sooo much fun for me! I miss it so much, well..maybe only the food (;
Be sure to eat at the many foodcourts and coffeeshops around. they usually have the BEST food (: xoxo

Bob said...

Love the workmanship and the colors!
Gawgeous!

Juanita said...

Pretty, pretty!

Laura Trevey said...

Absolutely! The intricate and colorful detailed top paired with your favorite jeans and you are ready to go!!

Melissa Blake said...

Those are beautiful - so intricate! xoxo

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Those are so STUNNING! Thanks for sharing :)

SHIZUKA said...

great post! very informative:) they are beautiful arent they, a lot of traditional things really catch my eye and i love that you love it! hehe x

nevin said...

Absolutely lovely Kebayas. Thanks for sharing.

Shibby said...

These are so elegant I love anything like this as they're so pretty =)
wiki is good for info it's the first place for anything!
Love how much I've learnt from this post :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous work!! I bet even better in person.

Magdalena said...

The Kebayas are stunning. So much spectacular detail. I adore them all, the blue towards the top is stunning.
Wish I could stop by the bar in a gorgeous Kebaya and have a cocktail with you ♥
I am loving your posts from Singapore!

Bathwater said...

sounds like a nice look you should let us see a glimpse of it!

Jo said...

So beautiful and femenine!
I love the Singapore Airlines Stewardesses's version of the Kebaya as well!
Beautiful post!

daisychain said...

beautiful post darling x

bananas. said...

Those are some faboo stewardess! Makes flying look good.

Leah said...

I love the intricate details of their tops... the embroideries are superb. Such a work of art! xoxo

Saving Capulet said...

so so gorgeous, im quite fond of traditional clothing as well. I love the pattern on this though :3 the details are so intricate and pretty

Jade Purple Brown said...

so traditional and beautiful!

jadeprown.blogspot.com

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

oh such amazing work of art! hope you're enjoying Singapore, darling! thanks for sharing! xo

Kristen said...

I love the concept of designer uniforms. Armanit designs the Italian police uniforms, Ralph Lauren has designed the USA athletes clothing for the opening ceremonies in Vancouver, Valentin Yudashkin designed the Russian Armys uniforms, and I know there's more I'm not thinking of. I'm glad I don't have to wear a uniform, but if I did...any of these would be more than suitable.

Amy said...

oooh, i love! so nice compared to the drab colours seen around these parts! LOL!

hope your trip is going well, missy!

Christina said...

it would be a fabulous look with jeans or leggings. so elaborate, feminine, and pretty.

Jeannette Mariae said...

So lovely, dear Lenore ;-)

Couture Carrie said...

Such gorgeous embroidery!

xoxox,
CC

Jill said...

Aren't they beautiful. I have one and every time I wear I feel special!

Simply Colette said...

Hope you are having a lovely time in Singapore! Cheers.

xoxo

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Simply Collette,
I am, still with a jet-lag though~

Thank you everyone!!
xo*

drollgirl said...

i know i could not make this look work, but these ladies look lovely!!!!

drollgirl said...

and you could rock this look like nobody's business!

especially if benicio was at your side! :)

Cheryl Peters said...

That would be the very best look if you ask me. I'm excited for you.

Enjoy! Thanks for sharing what you see and do.

Kitty Stampede said...

I WANT one! Wow...they are so stunning and beautiful. I would love to rock one in jeans too. I am seriously considering ordering one. gorgeous, thanks for sharing!!!

Jan said...

These are gorgeous - definitely get one (or two ?)
Love the air stewardesses.
So glad you've got time to post. x

Manon said...

So beautiful! I love it.

Manon said...

So beautiful! Love it.

LPC said...

These are gorgeous. And would look super cool with jeans IMO.

Haute World said...

Ooooh, kebayas are truly beautiful. I love traditional Asian costumes... such gorgeous workmanship. And that's definitely a different kind of Balmain bling in that last photo!

Amy @ Varnish said...

First off, I love your profile picture. I never look cool like that no matter how hard I try. Second, these are such beautiful clothes. I wish I could wear a Kebaya!

Anonymous said...

these are stunning! the details are stunning and the women in the last photo just look so elegant!

Teri said...

Ooooh, I love the green and pink rosey one!

Ela said...

They're so beautiful and intricate. How lovely!
That would definitely be a fabulous look!
xo

Awesome Sara said...

my mom wears these! well every woman in my moms side.

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

Ahhh, so pretty. Kebaya are works of art, each one. The Singapore airline stewardess uniforms are surely the most beautiful uniforms ever designed!

trishie said...

I think kebayas are sexy, without being overtly revealing. It really brings out a woman's figure!
Keep having a wonderful time and eating my fav foods!

Sam said...

Well, well, well! I have always admired the Singapore airline's stewardess uniform - so flattering and chic and they have had it for a long long time (since I was a wee thng in fact!) - and now I know why to all of the above - thank you! I love that brown Kebaya by the way too - I love it!! Great little potted history you gave us here sweetie!! XOXO's

Unknown said...

Singapore airline stewardess' are just so elegant. I planned on buying batik while I was in Indonesia but totally forgot to put some Kebaya's on my list. Thanks for the little reminder :)