Stepping into the season in style, we’re excited to introduce a Raya drop that feels equal parts effortless and elevated: Studio Jeje for ZALORA. Designed for modern women who want to look polished without sacrificing comfort, the collection brings a fresh take on festive dressing—one that feels refined, wearable, and easy to style stays true to Studio Jeje’s signature identity with embroidery-inspired detailing and subtle embellishment accents. As a result, each piece feels light, versatile, and beautifully easy to wear which makes it perfect for carrying you throughout the day.
With that in mind, keep reading to discover the inspiration and standout details behind this Raya-ready collection in our interview with the designer of Studio Jeje for ZALORA, Angelita Nurhadi.
1. Studio Jeje has become known for its thoughtful design. What was the inspiration behind your Raya 2026 collection for Zalora Malaysia?
The Raya 2026 collection for Zalora Malaysia was inspired by a desire to introduce Studio Jeje’s design language through a silhouette that is deeply familiar to Malaysian women: the baju kurung. Rather than reinventing it, we approached the piece with respect through focusing on proportion, fabric choice, and subtle detailing that reflects our contemporary sensibility.
This collection became a dialogue between Studio Jeje and Malaysia, blending our identity with garment that carries cultural significance. It was less about making a statement, and more about offering a thoughtful interpretation that feels relevant, wearable, and naturally aligned with how women dress for Raya today.
2. This is your collaboration with ZALORA for their Raya line. How did the partnership begin, and what made ZALORA the right platform for this collection?
The partnership began when Zalora approached us with the idea of collaborating on a Raya collection. From the start, it felt like a natural fit. Zalora has a strong understanding of the modest wear market and a wide reach across Malaysia, making it an ideal platform to introduce Studio Jeje to broader audience.
What made Zalora the right partner is its accessibility, it allows the collection to reach women from different backgrounds and lifestyles, while still maintaining a curated fashion perspective. For us, that balance between reach and relevance was essential for the collection.
3. The collection features a range of beautifully distinct pieces . Can you share how the Mia Kurung Set and Andjani Kimono Set reflect your interpretation of modern Raya fashion?
Mia & Andjani set represent our interpretation of modern Raya fashion that rooted in tradition, yet designed for versatility beyond the festive moment.
The Mia Kurung Set is inspired by the Kurung Kedah neckline, reimagined with a detachable scallop camisole that introduces layering and flexibility. This detail allows the look to feel more contemporary, while also giving the wearer freedom to style the camisole with her own wardrobe, extending the life of piece beyond Raya.
The Andjani Kimono Set draws from the structure of a kimono, offering a relaxed silhouette that works well across different body types. Its versatility is key. It can be styled effortlessly for Raya, but is equally relevant for everyday wear. Together, these pieces reflect our belief that modern Raya fashion should be thoughtful, adaptable, and wearable long after the celebration ends
4. The Ayu Draped Velvet Dress stands out in the lineup. What were the key design elements or stylistic details you focused on for this piece?
The Ayu Dress was inspired by the kaftan, a silhouette that feels familiar and effortless especially during Raya moments. Our intention was to reinterpret this shape with a subtle twist, creating a piece that maintains the ease of a kaftan while feeling elegant and refined enough to be worn beyond Raya.
We chose a lightweight velvet to introduce a sense of luxury without heaviness, allowing the dress to drape beautifully and move with the body. A key statement details is the Canang ribbon applique, developed from our Canang collection, crafted through origami-like folds of velvet ribbons and finished with delicate embellishments, This element adds depth, texture, and a distinctive Studio Jeje signature to the piece.
Together, these details reflect our approach to Raya attire: familiar, elevated, and designed to remain relevant long after the celebration ends.
5. How did you approach designing pieces to balance comfort, tradition, and contemporary elegance for festive wear?
Our approach began with understanding how women actually experience Raya moments, like long days, multiple gatherings, and desire to feel both comfortable and presentable. Comfort was addressed through fabrics, considered construction, and silhouettes that allow natural movement.
Tradition came through familiar forms and references, such as the baju kurung, kaftan-inspired shapes, and classic Raya elements, which we treated with respect rather than excess. To bring this contemporary elegance, we focused on proportion, layering, and subtle statement details, allowing each piece to feel refined without feeling heavy or restrictive.
Ultimately, we design Raya wear that adapts to the wearer. The pieces are meant to feel relevant during Raya, yet versatile enough to be styled beyond the celebration through modern sensibility in a way that feels natural to today’s woman.
6. Raya is a time for celebration and togetherness. How did cultural influences and the spirit of the festival shape the colors, fabrics, and silhouettes of this collection?
Raya celebrates togetherness and movement, from daytime visits to evening gathering, and this rhythm strongly influenced the collection. We approached the silhouettes and color palette with versatility in mind, ensuring each piece feels appropriate for both day and night activities.
The collection features feminine yet relaxed silhouettes that move easily with the wearer instead of restricting her. In terms of color, we chose tones that feels soft, refined, and timeless, allowing the pieces to feel festive without being overly ceremonial.
7. How did you approach sizing, cutting, and flattering different body types for festive wear?
Our approach to sizing began with accessibility. We offer sized from XS to XL, with the intention of accommodating a wide range of body types and making the collection approachable for many women.
The main challenge lies in creating silhouettes that feel flattering across different bodies while maintaining comfort and elegance, especially for Raya wear. To address this, our design process involved careful research and development, testing proportion, cutting, and drape to find shapes that move naturally with the body. Special thanks to Nina & Mia who help us a lot.
8. If you could choose one favourite piece from the collection, what would it be and what makes it special to you as a designer?
Ayu Draped Velvet Dress.It holds a special place for me because the Canang applique came from my personal experimentation. I developed it through a process of exploring form, texture, and movement, using folded velvet ribbons and embellishments to create something sculptural yet soft. It was both a creative challenge and a moment of discovery, which makes the piece especially memorable for me. The Ayu dress represents the balance I’m always searching for: familiarity with a distinctive signature.
9. How did this collaboration push your creative boundaries as a designer?
This collaboration pushed me to rethink how I express my identity as a designer. Naturally, I gravitate toward maximalism such as rich textures, patterns, embroidery, and embellishment are a big part of my design language. For this collection, howeverm I had to translate that sensibility into ready-to-wear context that feels accessible and wearable for a wider audience.
The challenge was learning how to hold back, to simplify without losing character. Instead of relying on heavy detailing, I focused in proportion, fabric choice, and subtle statement elements. It was a different creative discipline, but a valuable one, The process taught me that restraint can be just as expressive when done intentionally.
10. Looking beyond Raya 2026, how do you hope this collection will influence Studio Jeje’s future designs?
Looking beyond Raya 2026, this collection has reshaped how I think about balance in design, It has shown me new ways to translate Studio Jeje’s identity into pieces that more versatile, approachable, and ready to live in everyday wardrobes.
Moving forward, I hope this collection influences our future designs by encouraging more intentional dialogue between statement and simplicity, where strong ideas are expressed through refined silhouettes, thoughtful details, and adaptability. It has opened new possibilities for designing pieces that feel distinctly Studio Jeje, yet resonate with a broader audience across different moments and lifestyles.
If your Raya style leans minimalist but still loves a statement detail, Studio Jeje for ZALORA hits the sweet spot. Whether you gravitate toward understated staples or prefer a subtle standout detail, you can rely on these light, wearable pieces to carry you through the season with comfort, confidence, and effortless polish.
