Father’s Day is swiftly approaching, yet many of us still have yet to find the perfect gift for them. We want to give them presents that are useful, thoughtful, special, and of the highest quality. That’s where Dia Guild comes in!
Dia aims to champion Southeast Asian artisanship and give it the worldwide recognition it deserves as a curated platform where you can find and shop Southeast Asian brands while learning more about the region. Creating historical and traditional crafts in contemporary art is not a novel concept, but in the age of fast fashion, its appeal is waning. Fast fashion industries frequently stray from the craft’s heritage, history, and narratives while instilling a sense of modernity, leading to the craft’s gradual extinction.
A report claims that the pandemic caused a loss of up to RM85 million to Malaysia’s culture and arts sector, making all traditional performing arts, handicrafts, and cultures more susceptible to the onslaught of modern development. Therefore, in order to protect their traditions, designers and artisans must spread the word and fight against contemporary fast fashion practices. In line with their vision of overcoming the slow disappearance of traditional crafts and bring them back into the conversation, Dia Guild has emerging designers who have found this balance between traditional craft and modernity.
For this Father’s Day, Pink Jambu’s designs combine innovative graphics with traditional batik techniques in a nod to historical artisanship and the value of limited collections. Here are some pieces from them that you can consider:
Pink Jambu Batik Silk Tie in Royal Blue
This one of a kind silk men’s tie was handcrafted by batik artisans in Malaysia! Cut in a classic 8cm profile, the eye catching pattern will definitely make your father stand out from the crowd. A luxurious and special gift.
Pink Jambu Tenun Silk Tie in Mixed Grey
Crafted from tenun silk, a prized heritage textile that is fully woven by hand, you can actually see the intricate handwoven design up close. It’s made up of a variety of grey threads in various colours, giving it a polished and elegant look!
Pink Jambu Batik Silk Tie in Burgundy
The deep burgundy colour, combined with a pop of coral, creates a versatile accent for any event. It can be worn with either basic white shirts for a business look or more colourful hues for an after-work cocktail party.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Morales uses his label as a platform to investigate various artistic themes, such as climatic catastrophes and disappearing heritage. Take a look at his one of a kind creations:
Kelvin Morales Phalaenopsis Barong
This trendy see-through shirt will bring a pop of colour to your father’s outfit. The flower motifs were created using hand embroidery patch works by local artisans and craftsmen in the Philippines, and the shirt’s material is described as a modern spin on the traditional Filipino Barong.
Kelvin Morales Hazard Bottles Short
Made with a lightweight water repellent material with an original print of plastic bottles, this piece is perfect for the environmentally conscious dads out there! These shorts are part of the Hazard Blue collection, which imagines a future when humanity must brave an unpredictable climate, hence the use of sturdy materials. They were inspired by trash bags drifting in the ocean.
Kelvin Morales Plastic Bottle Shirt
The Plastic Bottle Shirt is a versatile piece from the Hazard Blue line, constructed of weighted poly-cotton fabrics with a structured design and air space for comfort. Local artisans and craftsmen in the Philippines used manual hand-guided embroidery to create the plastic bottle design on the sheer water repellent pocket. For a laid-back look, combine this shirt with a pair of oversized or fitted trousers!
Founded by Malaysian pottery enthusiasts, 22 Craft Studio hopes to popularize the understanding of pottery and share skills with others. Here are some of their creations that you should consider getting for Father’s day:
22 Craft Studio Abstract Cup
Get your dad something he could use daily for his morning coffees! The simple yet eye-catching Abstract Cup was created using tools such as a sponge and carving needles. Each cup is individually hand-drawn with a different pastel tint and a unique combination of motifs and textures.
22 Craft Studio Heart Shaped Plate
What better way to express your love through a Heart Shaped Plate? Hand-drawn with blue underglaze paint, it can be used decoratively or functionally to hold his watch or other small items!
22 Craft Studio Abstract Paint Cup
This cup was made out of four different types of clay! The different hues of the clays come together to give the cup a calm gray shade, creating a completely unique design. Another gift that he can use daily!
Head on to diaguild.com and check out more of their exquisite handmade creations!
More on Father’s Day? Read these:
https://lipstiq.com/festive/202495/fathers-day-gifts-that-wont-break-the-bank/
https://lipstiq.com/festive/202440/sunway-resort-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-dads-on-fathers-day/
