Let me share with you examples of some types of fabric I acquired during my overseas trips.
Please enjoy two pieces of Indian silk saris. The sari’s longer part is purple-blue, and the shorter part is pink. Both regions have different designs. I have enlarged the blue portion to show you intricate and interesting motifs on the main part of the sari in purple-blue. The details are amazing. You will notice that there are tiny figures of dancers in long skirts, elephants, peacocks, birds, a person seated in a sedan chair carried by two porters, and small houses. The blue portion of the other sari has repeated motifs of tiny flowers. It is covered with long branches of flowering plants, olive-green leaves, and dark-red flowers and buds. I also bought a tablecloth for rectangular dining tables.
While in London, I was attracted by uniquely designed thick fabrics for window curtains and wall-hanging decor at Heals on Tottenham Court Road. The materials named “Automation” have a very strong and striking geometric design of close parallel lines arranged along curved lines stacked on each other at regular distances. Between the 1960s and 1970s, Barbara Brown produced the two pieces I am sharing. One is in black, white, and grey and the second is in white, light blue, dark blue, and green.
From Portugal, I bought a square tablecloth with the iconic cockerels at four corners. I also acquired another tablecloth featuring repeated patterns of Mimosa flower branches when I was on a trip to the French Riviera. In Greece, I bought a black fabric with embroidery in gold as a material for a formal long evening dress or long-sleeved shirt.
Tan It Koon
Before retirement, Dr Tan It Koon was, among many appointments, Head of Clinical Biochemistry at SGH’s Dept of Pathology. He was the Deputy Chairman of the National Theatre Trust and Chairman for Grants and Scholarships of the Spore Cultural Foundation. He received the National Day Awards, PBM, and PPA, for his contribution to cultural and community development and excellence in Public Administration.
