More than just a kebaya show

PETALING JAYA: Visitors to the Nyonya Kebaya: Women's Costume from Malaysia which is scheduled to open at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne on May 3 can expect more than just an insight to the traditional garment.  

Jointly organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang) and Victoria Museum, the Nyonya Kebaya is intended to provide an understanding of the kebaya’s cultural context, revealing the artistry behind making the garment and its evolution over the past two centuries.  

»The challenge was in trying to transform a Western colonial structure to a Nyonya structure« STEPHEN DOSS

To enable visitor to fully appreciate the exhibition, the space has been constructed to look like an early 20th century Peranakan house complete with antique chairs, tables and a sewing machine. It will present the various aspects of the daily life of Nyonya, showcasing the different types of kebaya worn for different occasions.  

There will also be a chamber displaying an extensive array of jewellery and accessories. 

“The challenge was in trying to transform a Western colonial structure to a Nyonya structure,” says Stephen Doss, Penyayang's head of research and development.  

“We wanted to created an atmosphere where the person visiting the exhibition feels like they are in a Nyonya house and that they can't differentiate between the original structure and the aspects which were specially built for the exhibition.” 

The cost of the exhibition is estimated at approximately A$1mil (RM2.7mil), which includes insurance and freight charges not just for the kebaya but for the Peranakan artefacts as well.  

The main sponsor of the exhibition is Lee Foundation States of Malaya. Leighton Malaysia and Leighton Australia oversaw and partly sponsored the construction of the set. The exhibits were shipped to Melbourne three weeks ago in 17 boxes. 

The main feature will continue to be the more than 70 kebayas on display, 67 of which belonged to the former first lady, the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood.  

Penyayang chairman Nori Abdullah (centre) showing Datin Seri Utama Masnah Rais, wife of Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim, some of her mother's Nyonya Kebaya collection which would go on display at the Immigration Museum, Melbourne from May 3-Sept 9.

It will also feature a section showcasing Endon's role as a champion of the arts. The kebaya, which began in the Peranakan Straits Chinese communities in the 1800s, has since become a modern-day Malaysian fashion icon.  

The exhibition has been held at the National Arts Gallery, Galeri Petronas, both in Kuala Lumpur, and at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. 

The Immigration Museum is part of Museum Victoria, which receives around 1.5 million visitors annually and has a collection of more than 16 million items. It is also the largest museum dedicated to migration history and cultural diversity in Australia.  

The exhibition will launched jointly by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Janette Howard, wife of Australian Prime Minister John Howard.