This ready-to-wear navy kebaya is from the shop of Lim Swee Kim of Kim's Fashion, who was a kebaya designer recognised by the community as having one of the best workmanship. It is embroidered with the “100 children pattern”, which features in Chinese art connoting well wishes to the family and descendants, and also symbolises vigour of life and abundance. Born in Kelantan, Kuala Krai, Lim Swee Kim (1933-2014, known by many as Auntie Kim) is the founder of Kim’s Fashion based in Penang. She learned the skills from her Peranakan mother at a young age of 9, and had continued practising the craft for the following seven decades. Her kebaya designs are well loved especially for the embroidery of figural designs and are collected by kebaya enthusiasts. In 2012, she received the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts.This kebaya belonged to Barbara Fras, a Canadian who admired Lim’s work, and worked with her during her time as Peranakan Museum’s Programs department manager. She loves Chinese ceramics, where the “100 children pattern” features periodically. She wore the kebaya for work events and parties.
