Edna posing next to her handbag collection.
Some of the LiPi handbags showcased by models during the launching yesterday.
Edna (left) presenting the donation to Jean.
KOTA KINABALU: Fifty eight year-old Puan Sri Edna Khan, founder of ladies handbag label LiPi, remembers seven years ago, when she was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus).
“The first question that crossed my mind was ‘Why me?” I was devastated and traumatized. I felt miserable as every question I asked gave nothing but negative answers.
“What made it even worse was I kept asking myself, what have I done to deserve this, then little did I know that this disease does not spare even the young and innocent. Children as young as 14 can acquire Lupus,” she said.
“Nothing was as simple as it could have been as I was not willing to share my feelings. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted and where I was heading nor did I see what was possible or what stood in my way. My platelet plunged as low as 23 and my kidneys were badly affected. There was no clear or straight path,” she said.
Somehow, Edna, who is also the wife of veteran politician Tan Sri Majid Khan, learned to get in touch with the silence within herself that everything that happened had a reason behind it. “That in life, we must never take things for granted because if we do, we will be disheartened and disappointed all our lives. With faith, hope and belief, good things do happen too,” she added.
Lupus was a wakeup call for Edna to challenge herself to do the impossible in order to boost her self-esteem. She decided to make lemonade out of lemons.
“That is how I came about with this idea of making my own brand and label, turning my dreams into reality. It was not easy as I wanted to do it on my own.
“I gathered my courage and followed my heart to satisfy the thirst of my soul. With optimism and determination, I found the courage to give my bag an identity,” said Edna at the launching of LiPi, at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu yesterday.
As a longtime handbag lover, Edna knew that a branded bag made of canvas could cost RM2,000 to RM3,000 only because of the brand name.
“So why don’t I go for the real thing and also give it a name,” she said.
After a year of struggle, today LiPi has a variety of handbags and clutches mostly made from snake-skin leather which comes in many sizes and designs.
“You may see some of them come in the same design but different colours, meaning there are no duplicates. I believe the bags are priced very reasonably as they are of very good quality, creative designs and genuine snake-skin leather.
“You will also have lamb and calf leather bags if you are not a fan of snakes’ skin,” she said, adding most of her customers are from Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.
Hundreds of LiPi handbags are available at genuine leather bags website http://www.lelipi.com/. She is planning to approach various hotels in the city centre to sell her high quality handbags, which are priced below RM2,000.
Apart from handbags, Edna also introduced her clothing label Ed’s which is her new ‘baby’ after the success of LiPi.
Luire by Raden Sirait from Indonesia was the guest designer who also showcased her collection at the event yesterday.
As an effort to raise awareness on Lupus disease, Edna said LiPi’s customers will have the opportunity to support a good cause as their purchase of the bags will partly contribute to Persatuan SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Malaysia, Sabah Chapter.
She said the association is in need of funds for their share and care programme.
During the launching yesterday, the event managed to collected RM20,000 in donations for Persatuan SLE Malaysia, Sabah Chapter from LiPi and also the invited guests.
Today (22nd December), LiPi, Ed’s and Luire by Raden Sirait will be having a special appearance and promotion at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu (Keembong Room) from 10am to 5pm with special offers of its handbags and clothing collections.
Present yesterday were Edna’s husband Majid, Toh Puan Rahimah Stephens and representative of Persatuan SLE Malaysia, Sabah Chapter Jean Chan Chok Fun.
Jean, in her speech shared information about Lupus disease, and urged more women to learn more about it as about 90 per cent of people with Lupus are women, while only 10 per cent are men and children.
“Lupus in women commonly begins in childbearing years. It is a complex disorder, and its cause is unknown. It is likely that a combination of genetics, environmental and possibly hormonal factors work together.
“Each Lupus patient has slightly different symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever and extreme fatigue.
“A characteristic red skin rash or a butterfly rash may appear across the nose and cheeks. Other symptoms include chest pain, unusual hair loss, anaemia, mouth ulcers, headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion or seizures,” she said.
On behalf of the association, she thanked Edna for sharing her experience and appreciated what she had done in giving positive attitude to Lupus patients.