Seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya, pakaian yang dipakai oleh Aina Abdul pada malam Anugerah Juara Lagu ke-38 (AJL38) dengan tema Tree of Life turut menarik perhatian orang ramai.
Diilhamkan oleh musim luruh, Aina sekali lagi mendapat sentuhan daripada pereka fesyen kegemarannya, iaitu Melinda Looi.
Melinda menyatakan bahawa dia menerima cabaran dari Aina untuk menghasilkan busana tersebut, walaupun sibuk dengan pelbagai tugas lain termasuk menyambut perayaan Tahun Baru Cina.
“Sebulan yang lepas Abu beritahu saya tentang AJL untuk Aina. Dia tanya sama ada saya mahu melakukannya.
“Sudah tentu! Tanpa berfikir dua kali mengenainya. Tapi saya agak bimbang tentang masa kerana ketika itu Tahun Baru Cina.
A month ago. Abu spoke to me about AJL for Aina. He asked if I would like to do it. Of course, I didn’t have to think twice about it. But I was a little worried about the timing as it was the peak season for Chinese New Year. Abu said Aina wants to be the tree’s root! I love challenges like this. I immediately thought about how I could make her the roots of a tree, but she still looks glam and very AINA! We did not take a CNY break and immediately started on doing the ROOTS embroidery with mixed media, like Japanese glass beads, lurex yarns, threads, latex, metal, and cords. Basically, about 12 of us worked on this piece of art and spent 3 weeks, or more than 350 hours, on it. The base is made with cut-out strips of jersey and dyed into the colours of the earth to create textures. Then we decorated it with embroidered strips, Swarovski stones, glass beads, latex roots, taffeta leaves, and branches. I called this piece of art ‘Tree of Life’. It symbolises Aina’s development, uniqueness, and individual beauty. Just as the branches and roots of a tree strengthen and grow upward and downward, Aina is just like the tree; she strives to stand tall and provide support and companionship to those around her. Being part of Aina Abdul’s dream team has helped us all grow stronger, striving for greater knowledge, wisdom, and new experiences as we move through life. I am honoured to be part of her journey with her amazing team of people led by Aina and her manager Zizi, the fashion and beauty team (Abu (stylist), BoboCinta (MUA), Yaya Ibrahim (hijab stylist), and myself and team ML; also engineers from Aiszzy Electronics, show director Najib, music director Mac Chew, props by Waltz Artz Ventures, the video and photo team, and many others. Let’s all grow stronger together! Congrats, Team Aina, for always being unique and powerful! You go, girl!
“Abu kata Aina nak akar pokok! Saya suka cabaran seperti ini. Saya segera berfikir tentang bagaimana saya boleh menjadikan dia akar pokok, tetapi masih kelihatan glamour dan sangat Aina!,” katanya.
Kata Melinda, dia bersama 12 pekerja yang lain tidak mengambil cuti demi merealisasikan impian Aina Abdul untuk tampil berbeza pada malam Anugerah Juara Lagu tersebut.
“Kami tidak mengambil cuti rehat dan segera mula melakukan sulaman akar dengan campuran seperti manik kaca Jepun, benang lurex, lateks, logam dan tali.
“Seramai 12 orang menghasilkan karya seni ini dan menghabiskan masa selama tiga minggu atau lebih daripada 350 jam untuk menyiapkannya.
“Tapaknya dibuat menggunakan jalur jersi yang dipotong dan dicelup mengikut warna bumi untuk menghasilkan tekstur.
Busana ‘Tree of Life’ yang dipakai penyanyi itu mendapat perhatian netizen yang rata-rata memuji keunikan busana itu yang lain dari yang lain.