KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s vibrant textile heritage is embracing a new era of innovation, thanks to the Colour Harmony Workshop, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at integrating strategic colour application into local fashion.
Organised by Chanteek Borneo in collaboration with GLEAM Studio under the Rintis Pengkomersilan Inovasi Sosial program and funded by Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), the workshop empowered designers and entrepreneurs with the science of colour to enhance their craft.
Part of Chanteek Borneo’s Bengkel Pemasaran Colour Profiling initiative, the workshop provided invaluable knowledge to textile entrepreneurs, designers and fashion industry players. The focus was on preserving Sabah’s rich cultural motifs while evolving them for a global audience through innovative colour strategies.
During her closing remarks, Anne Antah, founder of Chanteek Borneo, highlighted the challenge of balancing heritage with modern design. Traditionally, colour choices in indigenous Sabahan textiles have been based on instinct and observation rather than structured theory.
This limitation, she explained, has made it difficult for designers to innovate while staying true to their cultural roots.
“Without a deeper understanding of colour, local designers risk confining themselves to familiar black-and-white tones rather than expanding their palettes for wider markets,” said Anne.
“Through this workshop, we aim to equip fashion entrepreneurs across Sabah with the tools to refine their work, ensuring our heritage remains relevant in today’s global fashion industry.”
The workshop saw participation from established businesses such as Kristal Handal and Mahabbah Tailor, as well as independent designers from Kota Marudu and Telupid. Many attendees admitted that prior to the workshop, colour selection had been an intuitive process rather than a deliberate design strategy. The introduction of colour analysis principles provided a fresh perspective, making their design choices more intentional and impactful.
Leading the workshop, GLEAM Studio co-founders Adelina and Fara guided participants through the fundamentals of hue, value, and chroma. Their structured approach demonstrated how colour influences not only aesthetics but also brand perception and customer appeal.
“We see colour as more than just an artistic choice—it’s a strategic tool for personal branding, business growth, and industry innovation,” said Adelina and Fara.
“Our goal is to help local designers leverage colour theory to strengthen their work, refine their brand identity, and create designs that can compete on a larger stage.”
For many participants, the workshop was a game-changer. Some revealed the challenges of advising clients on colour choices, while others admitted that they had always relied on intuition rather than structured knowledge. Seeing colour from a scientific perspective boosted their confidence in integrating these principles into their work—whether in designing garments, selecting fabrics or styling clients.
The Colour Harmony Workshop marks a pivotal moment in Sabah’s textile and fashion industry, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist.
By equipping local designers with the knowledge to elevate traditional motifs through strategic colour use, Sabah is strengthening its local industry while making a lasting impact on the global fashion scene.
