Senator Datuk Doris Brodie
KUCHING: PRS Women view the traditional costumes worn by some of Miss Global International Sarawak 2015 finalists during an event at City One Mall here recently as ‘appalling’.
Its chief, Senator Datuk Doris Brodie expressed her shock and dismay at seeing the photos depicting some of the ensembles, which were supposed to portray the cultural image of Sarawak.
“I was not present to watch the actual show, nor did I know what the fashion theme was all about. However, based on the photos that went viral on social media, it is obvious that some of the costumes were too revealing – they neither portray feminism nor the modesty of Dayak women.
“One contestant even wore a loin cloth, which was supposed to be a traditional wear for Dayak men.
“This is culturally wrong and demeaning to the Dayak community, especially its women. It is highly distasteful for the designers to portray such fashion sense,” she told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Doris said while she supported the initiative to bring Sarawak women to the world stage through this pageant, it must not compromise the cultural and traditional values of the native communities.
“The national costume segment should focus on showcasing our colourful culture, tradition and the surroundings that are uniquely Sarawak, without distorting their value and originality.
“Some of the designs were totally unbecoming – to a point that they might paint a wrong perception of our cultural identity in the eyes of the world. While innovation and creativity cover as broad spectrum, there’s a limit in everything too.”
Doris believed that lack of studies and research on local surroundings, ethnicity and culture on the organisers’ part might have resulted in the slack on guidelines for the contestants and designers to adhere to.
PRS Women deputy chief Nuai Gema shared Doris’ sentiments.
“They (organisers) must apologise to Sarawakians, especially to the Dayak community because not only did they distort our traditional costumes, but also tarnished the image of Dayak women.”
Doris, on behalf of PRS Women, reminded all future beauty pageant organisers to be more sensitive to the local culture, as well as the contestants who must also be aware of their rights to protest against what might be insensitive or offensive to the Dayak community.