KOTA BHARU – The journey of Mohd Azeimi Muhd Noor from local craftsman to international designer is nothing short of inspiring.
A village artisan from Kampung Sering, his passion for traditional wau crafts began at the tender age of four.
Little did he know then that, at the age of 45, he would be selected to craft the stunning ‘Puteri Wau Bulan’ costume for Mrs Malaysia World 2023 in Las Vegas, United States.
Known fondly as ‘Mie Sering,’ Mohd Azeimi shared that his initial venture into crafting a costume for a global pageant was absolutely worthwhile, despite encountering a few challenges while creating it.
“In August last year, Saran Lagong, a fashion designer from Sarawak, approached me to make a wau costume for Malaysia’s representative in Mrs World 2023, P. Vanishaantini.
“It took me nearly three months to complete the 3.8 metre by 4.8-metre wau weighing about 10 kg. I wanted to ensure the participant could carry it comfortably and safely during the pageant,” he told Bernama near his home in Kampung Sering today.
Mohd Azeimi explained that as the Malaysia Book Of Records (MBOR) had recognised his creation as the largest kite costume, transporting it abroad in one piece posed his biggest challenge.
As a solution, he opted for the ‘ready-made’ technique, allowing the costume to be easily folded and swiftly reassembled before the pageant started.
“Since I was not a part of the Malaysian pageant team, I needed to ensure everything was in good shape and safe. I made a tutorial video to help the team assemble and fit the costume on the participant,” he said.
Mohd Azeimi, who won the top prize in the 2018 International Kite Festival in Turkey and is a 16-time winner of the National Traditional Wau Workshop since 2007, said the wau is a distinct symbol of Malaysian culture and renown globally due to its unique carvings and fine handwork.
This possibly gave Malaysia’s pageant participant an advantage, he added.
Bernama previously reported that Vanishaantini made Malaysia proud by clinching the Most Original Costume award and securing the sixth position overall at the Mrs World 2023 pageant in Las Vegas, wearing the largest wau costume.
Vanishaantini modeled Malaysian culture on the international stage with grace and elegance in the costume named ‘Puteri Wau Bulan’.
The participant from Germany was crowned Mrs World 2023, while the runner-up and third place were taken by participants from Canada and Colombia, respectively. – January 24, 2024
Last month, the Malaysia Book Of Records recognised the ‘Puteri Wau Bulan’ costume by craftsmen Mohd Azeimi Muhd Noor as the largest kite costume. – Bernama pic, January 24, 2024