JOHOR BARU: A mother may have set a new “trend” for National Day costumes after creating a costume out of bread plastic wrappers and other repurposed materials for her daughter, Amira Nur Zafira Nurizan, 9.
“Every year, Amira takes part in the National Day fashion contest at her school. This year, I wanted to create something truly different,” said Norlina Esa, 52.
With the help of her eldest daughter, Aliya Nur Batrisya, 22, she arranged more than 60 bread wrappers to form a wide skirt, accentuated with flower petals fashioned from 30 plastic spoons.
She also made a blouse using yellow plastic and a crown using rolled-up newspapers attached to cardboard.
The entire process took around one week.
Norlina said what mattered most was not the contest, but the family bonding and the message behind the effort.
“I didn’t expect the video of the costume uploaded by a teacher would go viral. I was surprised but happy because even with bread wrappers, we can convey the Merdeka message.
“The spirit of Merdeka is not only about flags or parades, but also about creativity and sincerity.”
She said patriotism did not always have to be expressed through grand gestures as even a small initiative could instil awareness.
“For me, Merdeka means the freedom to choose to be a better person for the country, the family and also our planet.
“This bread-wrapper gown may not be worth much, but for us it is a symbol of pride as ‘anak Merdeka’,” she said.
A video of the National Day fashion competition organised by the school has gone viral, featuring pupils in Jalur Gemilang-themed outfits made from recycled materials. — BERNAMA
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
