Zulaikha revives the art of styling ‘kain batik lepas’

2026-03-25 - 01:01

Zulaikha Zulkafli recently conducted a workshop on styling kain batik lepas in hopes of reviving a fading practice. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Once a common sight in Malay households, “kain batik lepas”, an unstitched sarong, was traditionally worn for everything from relaxing at home to attending special occasions. Today, the practice has faded as many people opt for ready-made batik outfits that are easier to wear. Tying a batik sarong by hand can feel complicated, as it takes time and specific techniques for it to be done neatly. Hoping to revive the tradition, Zulaikha Zulkafli recently organised a kain styling workshop here to introduce people to the art of wearing batik cloth in new ways. The 33-year-old founder of Andani Studio said the idea came after she realised many people own kain batik lepas but are unsure how to wear it properly. “These days, many people only know how to wear sewn sarongs or ready-made outfits. But in the past, sarongs were styled manually, and it’s actually not that difficult,” she told Bernama. Participants learnt several basic tying and draping techniques, including wave-style sarong and “pario”, all using just one piece of batik cloth. The session also encouraged participants to experiment with styling batik fabrics according to their personal taste and the occasion. They were also taught how to “read” the fabric, including identifying the top and bottom sections and understanding the arrangement of batik motifs. Participants at the workshop, which was held as part of the ‘RIUH Raya Baik Baik’ event in Kuala Lumpur recently. (Bernama pic) According to Zulaikha, this knowledge helps ensure the cloth is worn neatly while respecting the artistry behind traditional designs. “In the past, people created batik patterns with great skill and meaning,” she pointed out. “When we know how to wear the fabric correctly, we are also honouring that craftsmanship.” Among the participants was Zalina Markisan, 55, who said the session opened up new possibilities for wearing batik. “We might be familiar with batik, but we don’t always know the correct way to wear it,” she said. “Now I’ve learnt several ways to tie it neatly and I feel more confident in styling it.” Indeed, Zulaikha said confidence plays a key role when learning how to style kain batik lepas. “Many people feel they need to become experts before they even try. But what matters is simply practising and gaining confidence.”