Flaunting patriotism with style
Tailor Helmaliza Md Isa finds her hands full during the month of August as she transforms the Jalur Gemilang into patriotic ensembles for children who will be taking part in National Day parades and Merdeka-themed activities at school.
Photographs by Ahmad Sadiq Mohamad Sani
Helmaliza Md Isa examines her Jalur Gemilang-themed kebaya at her tailor shop in Klebang Restu, Ipoh, in preparation for Merdeka Day.
The 41-year-old skillfully cuts a piece of yellow fabric to create a matching scarf for her Jalur Gemilang kebaya collection.
She sits at her sewing machine, against a backdrop of her Jalur Gemilang creations, meticulously putting together another piece of clothing.
As Helmaliza sews, her assistant affixes a Jalur Gemilang logo sticker onto a traditional Malay headgear known as tengkolok.
Amid the cutting and sewing, customers visit Helmaliza's shop to purchase her unique collections.
Helmaliza helps a customer's daughter put on the Tun Fatimah costume, which is part of her Jalur Gemilang collection.
6-year-old Nur An'nissa Humaira, who is preparing for a Merdeka parade at her school, inspects her costume in front of a mirror.
Helmaliza issues a receipt to a customer who buys one of her collections.
During her free time, Helmaliza dresses her 9-year-old daughter, Zahra, in her finest creation, sharing her work on social media accounts.
Helmaliza places a keris on a mannequin donning her custom-made Tun Fatimah outfit before showcasing it on her social media accounts.
Helmaliza takes a photo of her daughter wearing the Jalur Gemilang-themed kebaya using her phone and posts it on her Facebook and TikTok accounts.
Zahra strikes a pose in Helmaliza's Tun Fatimah-themed Jalur Gemilang costume at her tailor shop.
Some of Helmaliza's collections are put on display at her shop.
The exquisite Jalur Gemilang kebaya takes its place at the front of Helmaliza's shop.
Helmaliza proudly stands next to her Jalur Gemilang kebaya at her tailor shop in Klebang Restu, Ipoh.
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