Harrods boss and daughter to promote Malaysian craft

Saturday February 28, 2009
Harrods boss and daughter to promote Malaysian craft
By CHOI TUCK WO


LONDON: Harrods chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has not only pledged to help promote Malaysian craft worldwide but will also rope in his designer daughter as well.

The Egyptian tycoon said he was confident that his daughter Jasmine would do her best to market products such as accessories as well as batik and the intricately-woven songket.

Describing Malaysia’s handmade textiles and fashionable accessories as “out of this world,” Al Fayed, 76, said his daughter would place orders for her boutique.


Boost for Malaysian talent: The Raja Permaisuri Agong with Al Fayed at the Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods, London on Thursday. — AP

Al Fayed, who first visited Malay-sia 11 years ago, paid tribute to the country’s young talent, especially the designers, traditional craftsmen and women who had produced such tremendous art work.

He said he would help expose them to the global market through international buyers, fashion industry people and the store’s involvement in international fashion shows.

“Over the next five weeks, I will also get some of my models to wear the beautiful textile designs so that more people could see them worldwide,” Al Fayed said after attending the launch of the Malaysian Craft Promotion at Harrods by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahi­rah on Thursday.

Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who met Al Fayed earlier, said the Egyptian tycoon had agreed to take up the popular products as part and parcel of the Harrods brand.