Hey Fashion Friends, Here's A Hari Raya Puasa Shopping Guide For You
ICYMI, we are just 15 days away from Hari Raya Puasa.
By Imran Jalal,
Today marks the 15th day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which means Hari Raya Puasa is inching closer. Slated for April 22, this religious holiday is also known as Eid. It is often celebrated in Singapore in the form of house visits, feasting and – depending on who you asked – showing off that brand-new wardrobe. If you belong to the last group, we have curated a list of chic buys from the capsule collections by luxury brands and beyond to make your Hari Raya Puasa a fabulous affair.
Be the centre of attention in this shocking pink number from H&M's Limited Edition 2023 collection. The latter comprises modest yet festive garments and accessories that will complement your Eid festive wardrobe. We recommend pairing the fringed kaftan above with a rhinestone chain headpiece ($94.95) from the same collection for one dramatic ensemble.
Swedish fashion brand & Other Stories has launched an 11-piece capsule for Hari Raya Puasa that comprises mostly of dresses. Our favourite is this contemporary take on the shirt dress, which will serve you well beyond the Eid festivities as a day-to-evening staple.
The five-year-old Malaysian label Behati is certainly not for wallflowers. Indeed, founder and designer Kel Wen takes a Club Kid approach to reimagining traditional Malay attires with his exaggerated silhouettes and that unadulterated sense of camp. The brand's Hari Raya collection for 2023 includes a line of genderless coordinated sets that feature the round neckline known as 'Teluk Belanga' that is found on traditional Malay outfits worn by Johorean men.
The London-trained Malaysian designer Nurita Harith is a household name in her home country for her elegant and contemporary bridal and eveningwear designs. Every Hari Raya Puasa season, designs from her NH by Nurita Harith ready-to-wear line become hot-ticket items for those who seek a slice of Nurita's chic designs. To wit, the traditional baju kurung above has been modernise with a boat neckline and see-through organza sleeves.
Launched last year, Gucci Nojum is the Italian house's ode to Ramadan. The term nojum is Arabic for "stars" and was chosen to evoke the brilliance and the exuberance surrounding the holy month. Naturally, expect plenty of ornate details in this capsule line, as exemplified by this emerald green Blondie shoulder bag that comes with rows of crystal adornments.
To coincide with Ramadan, Louis Vuitton has released special editions of four of its star bags – Capucines, Coussin, Petite Malle and Dauphine – exclusively for the Middle East and South Asia markets. Each bag is given an artsy spin such as the use of metallic leather; leather with mother-of-pearl inserts; and sequin embroidery to mimic the pattern of python skin, seen on this Capucines above.
Dior is another luxury house celebrating Ramadan with a dedicated capsule collection. Its Dior Or collection, is bathed in colourways of metallic gold, silver and copper, to evoke the glistening sunsets and the desert sand dunes of the Middle East.
Love the 'quiet luxury' sensibility sweeping fashion at the moment? If the answer is yes, you will appreciate the discreet Tempete that Belgian luxury house Delvaux debuted in 1967. Distinguished by its boxy top handle design and its signature studded clasps, this version of the bag sports a cheery baby pink hue called Calypso.
Channel resort chic by teaming up flowy kaftans with this pair of bejewelled flats. The latter was created using polyester spun from fibres derived from re-spinning unwanted plastic items. Talk about taking a step forward to reduce that carbon footprint.
Is it pure coincidence that the signature intreccio leather weave by Italian luxury house Bottega Veneta mirrors the weave of the quintessential ketupat one finds during Hari Raya Puasa?
This star-spangled headband is the perfect finishing touch to your Hari Raya visiting outfit. A Pro-Tip: Keep other accessories to a minimum to avoid making your overall appearance look cluttered.
The Tank Francaise was born in 1996 and was the first Tank model by Cartier to feature a metal bracelet –a feature that gave it instant cool cred and saw it being worn by the likes of Posh Spice, Michelle O and Princess Di. The 2023 version of this watch (above) will make you want to do a casual watch flex even more, thanks to the sleeker and subtle aesthetic updates on the case and bracelet.
Pink and green is always a killer combination in our books.
Nadia Shelbaya Alexandria 18K yellow gold ring with emerald, $8,680, Dover Street Market Singapore
Danish-Egyptian Nadia Shelbaya is a cult figure in the handcrafted jewellery scene who is known for melding a contemporary Scandi aesthetic with the exuberance of Middle East design influences. Just clock the organic form of this gold ring which is topped with a 7.08-carat emerald – a definite conversation starter.
Plain outfits instant get elevated with Chanel's fun bow-inspired sautoir necklace. Layer with shorter necklaces and chokers for more impact.