Cover image via BEHATI (Provided to SAYS)
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If you think festive wear has to play it safe, BEHATI is here to shake that idea up, and we absolutely love it
The local label just dropped CHĂM, its first-ever Lunar Raya collection, and it's anything but your usual CNY-or-Raya affair.
Instead of sticking to one culture or silhouette, CHĂM goes full campur, blending influences from across Malaysia and the ASEAN region into a look that's bold, modern, and unapologetically Malaysian.
The name CHĂM comes from campur, inspired by Kopi and Teh, a nod to how cultures, flavours, and identities in Malaysia don't exist in neat little boxes. They bleed into each other naturally. Beautifully.
That philosophy runs through the entire collection.
BEHATI pulls from Peranakan chronicles, Kampung Istana aesthetics, and ancient Malayan roots, then filters everything through its modern, design-forward lens.
The result are these stunning festive pieces that feel grounded and intentional, but look like they belong on a global runway.
CHĂM draws on rich cultural references, from Gadis Melayu Kelantan and Cham dance to even the Stone Age
But nothing feels heavy or stuck in the past.
You'll spot hooded boleros inspired by Kain Kelubung, delicate Daun Bunga Emas details reworked into statement accents, and ancient forms streamlined into clean, minimal shapes that feel very now.
One standout piece is an oversized Áo dài with dramatic double-wing sleeves, layered with a Selempang drape
It gives quiet, almost sacred modesty vibes. The kind that doesn't need to shout to be powerful.
What really makes CHĂM hit different is how fearlessly it blends cultures across regions
BEHATI experiments with interracial silhouettes that feel unexpected but work.
For example, a cheongsam paired with a sarong, kebaya crafted from saree fabric, a sampin that flows like a sirat, and hybrid pieces like Kebaya Selempang Sinh and Longyi Mandarin.
It's a subtle reminder that culture isn't static. It evolves, overlaps, and keeps moving forward, whether we acknowledge it or not.
Even the fabrics tell a story. CHĂM uses a mix of traditional weaves and industrial materials, with raw textures in warm tan undertones.
Denim, linen, and pelikat plaids come washed-out and earthy, giving everything that perfectly aged, worn-in feel, like it's been passed down, not freshly manufactured.
It's festive wear that doesn't scream for attention, but still turns heads.
Fun fact: CHĂM also means "to care for" in Vietnamese
A quiet, thoughtful link that subtly bridges Malaysian and Vietnamese cultural narratives without needing a big explanation. And that feels very on-brand for this collection.
BEHATI didn't just design clothes for CNY and Raya; they built a cultural crossover moment
CHĂM proves that tradition can be fluid, fashion can be political without being loud, and festive wear can absolutely go hard.
If this is the future of Malaysian fashion, we're very much here for it.
Check out the full collection here.
