Traditional Songket and Contemporary Designs Towards Commercial Products

Abstract

The songket is among the few traditional Malay textiles which are still being produced locally. It is considered the queen of traditional textiles in the Malay region (Melayu Nusantara.) No doubt in the olden days the handwoven songket was specially made for the king and the royal family as they were made with real gold threads and with high-quality silk. Songket is a cloth woven in supplementary weft weave technique where the metallic threads as the decorative elements are woven into the fabric of natural or synthetic yarns. Songket is always significant in the Malay culture, as it has been used for centuries by the locals. The designs are usually derived from nature, inspired by the weaver’s everyday life. Today the songket is still the chosen textile for both traditional and official ceremonies, and also for many ritual purposes. This chapter describes how the Malay songket can be made into works of art and fashion accessories with contemporary designs. It also explains the development of traditional motifs to contemporary patterns for commercial products such as soft furnishings for interior decoration in private homes or offices. Whilst preserving the basic techniques of traditional songket, contemporary designs in songket are being explored through new techniques developed using different looms for faster production and adopting various materials that give different looks.