“I didn’t know it then, but the colours of Peranakan culture had already touched my life.”
As a child growing up in Vietnam, I remember watching my mother and sister dress in beautiful kebaya — their elegance etched into my memory. The delicate embroidery, the vibrant colors, the way they carried themselves — it felt like art in motion. At the time, I didn’t know these were pieces of Peranakan heritage. I just knew they were beautiful, and that they made me feel something.
🧵 A Journey Through Fabric and Feeling
When we moved to Indonesia for a time, I saw more of these outfits. Beaded slippers (kasut manek), batik sarongs, and kebayas worn during special occasions. I loved the look, but still didn’t understand the history.
It wasn’t until decades later — during a holiday to Penang — that it all came full circle. Walking through heritage homes and food hawker streets, hearing dialects I understood, and seeing the same styles my family once wore… something clicked.
It felt like coming home to a culture I didn’t realise I had been living beside all my life.
What Is the Nyonya Kebaya?
The kebaya is a long-sleeved, sheer blouse often worn with a batik sarong. For Peranakan women, it became a symbol of refinement and feminine grace.
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Often hand-embroidered with floral and phoenix motifs
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Paired with beaded slippers (kasut manek), painstakingly hand-stitched
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Worn during weddings, festivals, and formal gatherings
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Each piece tells a story — of status, identity, and cultural pride
It is fashion, but also inheritance — passed down like jewellery or recipes.
Art on the Body
As an artist and art coach, I began to see the kebaya differently — not just as clothing, but as wearable art. The motifs, colors, and craftsmanship reminded me of the Peranakan teapots and ceramic tiles I grew up around. Our floor tiles at home were heavily influenced by Peranakan patterns — swirling florals, rich pastels, and symmetry that spoke to centuries of visual storytelling.
Realising the Connection
50 years later, I realise I wasn’t just drawn to the look — I was drawn to the legacy. Somehow, this culture found its way into my memories, my family wardrobe, my art practice, and now my heart.
Reflection Prompt
Have you ever realised — years later — that a childhood memory was tied to a deeper cultural connection? What did it reveal about you?
