Featured Article: Backstage Images of Winning Mark 3 Grand Final

Hair and make up has always been THE most essential part in the world of beauty and fashion and it takes the creative mind of a true talent to produce an extraordinary ensemble.

‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’ – Coco Chanel

And boy, do we fully understood what she meant when we attended the Grand Final of Winning Mark 3, a biennial make up and hair bridal competition held at the Grand Ballroom of Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan, Jakarta on Tuesday, May 29th 2012.

There were 10 finalist competing in each of the three categories – International, Traditional and Modern Wedding categories. Each of the finalist was handpicked and crowned the winner in their respective regions. At the event, they displayed their individual artistic make up and hair talents to their finest and impressed not only the judges with their creations but the audience alike.

While awating for the results to be announced only at the end of the show, the audience was treated to a visual feast by Indonesian make up extraordinaire, Qiqi Franky and Ave Sanjaya. As usual, the duo never failed to impress with their interpretations of hair and make up masterpieces. Ravishing Selma Abidin, who is returning on the catwalk scene after giving birth, open the show for Ave Sanjaya alongside other models in International Wedding gowns.

Next in line was a gorgeous model in a traditional Balinese ensemble followed by Whulan Dary Herman, 3rd runner-up of International Model Of The Year 2009 in her gorgeous gold dress and exquisite headpiece from Palembang. Top runway model, the elegant Laura Muljadi appear soon after in an Indian inspired dress and make up. Thomas Sebastian, Mister Indonesia International 2010 swept the ladies off his feet next with a display of his fine,chiseled body alongside other gorgeous model in an intricate Javanese wedding dress.

Runway veteran Nayla Alatas and Best Male Model in Asia Model Festival Award 2011, Hendy Bramantyo walked the runway next in a beautiful black velvet Solo wedding dress with gold embroideries. Ave Sanjaya kept the best for last with a dramatic sequence of Oriental male models (in Rinaldy A.Yunardy headpieces) fighting over two girls who wore lovely cheongsam dresses. The feud stops when an ” Empress”, played by Pantene spokesmodel Dominique Agisca Diyose, arrived on the runway.

Finally the result of the Grand Final Winning Mark 3 was announced and what’s impressive was Traditional and Modern category were won by the same person. Congratulations from us!

At a glance, we felt the event was a little too far streched, saved only by Ave Sanjaya and Qiqi Franky display of talents. Ave Sanjaya with his amazing skills in hair & make up and the gorgeous bridal costumes while Qiqi Franky, on the other hand with his mile-long Rapunzel braids, multiple cubes on Marcella Tanaya’s head and of course that “pirate-ship” hair do on Dara Warganegara!

Qiqi was also the artiste responsible for Katya Talanova’s colorful LT Pro head piece in the finale. Those fabulous make up done by him were matched equally with one-of-a-kind dresses from Sapto Djojokartiko and Tex Saverio (his dress were worn by Lady Gaga on Harper’s Bazaar US and on her Asian tour!). Anyway, if you are curious to see their creations..feel free to browse through or Facebook fanpage for more images taken at the backstage of the event.

Until next time, people!

Please do not reproduce the content from this post in its entirety without permission. Images must be accompanied by a working link to this post.

All images courtesy of art8amby.

World Batik Summit 2011

The Batik facade

My green cased Blackberry and the id pass

The traditional dancers in rehearsal. Image by Armadina

Batik, a cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique, has been associated with Indonesia since a very long time. But not until The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially recognized batik as an Indonesian heritage and cultural treasure in October 02nd 2009. Even though the exquisite fabrics can also be found in other countries, but now more people are aware that batik are originally from Indonesia.

With the new designated title from UNESCO two years ago as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, batik is even more popular these days. Every Friday, here in Indonesia, most of people are wearing batik to the offices and work places to celebrate our lovely national heritage.

I got a wonderful opportunity to covering the Cultural Evening Performance during World Batik Summmit 2011 in Jakarta Convention Center couple of days ago. That night, a fashion show by 10 fashion designers from 4 countries was held in front of the high profile guests and invitations as the main event.

With more than 30 models, Carmanita, Ramli, Chossy Latu, Danar Hadi, Parang Kencana, Sebastian Gunawan and Anne Avantie from Indonesia are presenting their finest batik designs along with fellow designers from China (Lu Kun), Malaysia (Deanoor) and Japan (Kaoru).

Dea Nabila and Prinka Cassy

The handsome Nikola at SUM

Bulan at Platinum

L Men of The Year 2011 Runner Up, Adijaya, during rehearsal

Supermodel Asia Pacific 2011 winner, Bunga Jelita during rehearsal

Mister International 2009 top 15 finalists from Indonesia, Holly Feriston and Dominique Agisca Diyose. Image by Andreas Yudhi

Another fun part during the event was of course the rehearsal and backstage visit where I can snapped the models before and after the make up. The models for the fashion show are lovely and wonderful mixed of new faces and established ones.

There’s senior catwalker Dessy Mulasari and Nien (who opened the show), new face Hege at Look Models, top names such as Julia Jamil, Teuku Zacky, Katya Talanova, Drina Ciputra, Whulandary Herman, Ilmira, Advina Ratnaningsih, Dhining, Dominique Agisca Diyose, Advina Ratnaningsih, Selvi Rivera, Bunga Jelita, Renata Kusmanto, Hendy Bramantyo, Christina, Kimmy Jayanti and Indonesia‘s ‘IT‘ model of the moment, Prinka Cassy.

Feel free to visit and enjoy our Facebook photo album to view MORE exclusive backstage images of the models during World Batik Summit 2011.

Opening dancers rehearsal

Hendy Bramantyo snapped backstage

The beautiful Whulandary Herman

Larina at Damn! Inc. with the amazing Temple miniature behind her

The make up that night was done by Sariayu team and it was soft smokey eyes with a dash of bright red lips and dramatic eyelashes to create the sexy yet beautiful feeling just like Polina at Damn! Inc. shown above.

Some of the models are sporting a sophisticated little bun with blunt bangs, some of them are having a simple slicked back low ponytail and the others are sporting the very exquisite ‘sanggul‘ or chignon (shown by Ilmira and Mungky) to completed the look by Indonesia‘s foremost Kebaya designer, Mrs. Anne Avantie.

World Batik Summit 2011 exhibition will be held until tomorrow, October 02nd in Jakarta Convention Center. So, if you want to view the amazing displays of various types of batik in one place, this is really the place you want to be. Just like the tagline “Indonesia : Global Home of Batik”

A very special thanks to Tara Makmun, Panca Makmun, Andreas Yudhi and Armadina.

Amby.

Mrs. Anne Avantie and her beloved mother, Mrs. Amie Indriati

The elegant Mungky

Merry at JIM and Dea Nabila backstage after the hair do

The always fun Kimmy Jayanti

The flawless Renata Kusmanto

The energetic dancers

Our friend, fellow blogger Armadina and photographer Andreas Yudhi

It girl of the moment, Prinka Cassy in backstage during final run through

The boys (from top left clockwise : Nico Christianto, Wesley, Jacoeb, Nikola, Holly Feriston, Adijaya, J Ryan, Hendy Bramantyo and Fernando) backstage before the show. Image by Andreas Yudhi

The beautiful flower arrangement by Bellish

Tia strike a pose in Danar Hadi

Ilmira before the finale

Christina smiles backstage with the intricate head piece

J Ryan in his second look

Hege at Look Models with Katya Talanova and Julia Jamil, both at Damn! Inc. Image by Armadina

Table arrangement with white orchids from Bellish