The Nyonya Kebaya: A Century of Straits Chinese Costume [Hardcover]

Datin Seri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2004

This longtime Malaysian fashion icon was originally a long, straight, Arab-inspired top of plain woven cotton. The Nyonyas, the women of the early Peranakan community, gradually transformed it into a shapely, embroidered, translucent blouse, fastened with a set of chained brooches and worn with a matching hand-drawn batik sarong.

Sheer, romantic, alluring, yet sedate, the designs of Nyonya kebaya crosses several generations and cultures.

This book showcases the collection of Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi, is a passionate proponent of local arts. She has been collecting Nyonya kebaya and accessories for over a decade.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Periplus Editions; Hardcover with Jacket edition (October 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0794602738
• ISBN-13: 978-0794602734
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,038,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful machine embroidery from Malaysia, January 16, 2005

By 

J. Krakow (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nyonya Kebaya: A Century of Straits Chinese Costume (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book. Informative text and excellent photos educate as well as inspire. Anyone who appreciates embroidery will be impressed by the traditional Malaysian machine embroidery used on these lovely and striking blouses. Designers and embroiderers would find this book a wonderful addition to their reference libraries: colorful embroidery and delicate cutwork are combined in a way that most non-Asian readers would probably find delightfully novel. The history and social context of the kebaya are interesting and are clearly described, but for me the best part of the book is the photographs of vintage kebayas. In many cases, close-ups are provided so that details of the embroidery can be seen clearly. This is not a how-to book, but some technical information is provided. However, it is a delightful design reference for any embroiderer or digitizer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nyonya Kebaya, November 29, 2009

By 

Salmah Bte Sanusi "Nosi" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Nyonya Kebaya: A Century of Straits Chinese Costume (Hardcover)

A very good book with lots of information on the origin of the Nyonya Kebaya.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Asia, August 13, 2007

By 

QuaChee "Dreamer Guy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nyonya Kebaya: A Century of Straits Chinese Costume (Hardcover)

This coffee-table book has beautiful pictures of the Asian models wearing beautiful intricate nyonya kebaya. Set in some old Peranakan (straits Chinese) houses, the photographs show the elegance of the kebayas. An inspiring book of good photography, bringing readers to appreciate the beauty of Asia.

This book inspired us to published our book, continuing the works of the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood of promoting Malaysian arts & crafts: Batik Inspirations - featuring top batik designers. Similarly, there are background of Peranakan homes, but this time with models wearing dresses made from batik Malaysia.Batik Inspirations - featuring top batik designers