Featured Article: Indonesia Fashion Week 2013 – Kraton by Auguste Soesastro

The first time we knew about Auguste Soesastro was almost two years ago, back in November 2011 when he participated in Dewi Fashion Knights. He presented a clean collection with earthy tones (click here to see the runway images). And now, the soft spoken Jakarta-born fashion designer once again presented a clean and sharp collection during the first day of Indonesia Fashion Week 2013, on Thursday, February 14th at Jakarta Convention Center.

The designer who graduated from Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, Paris combined his signature sleek cutting with the exquisite weave fabrics from Ayotupas area, western part of East Timor, as a cropped top or shawl. His runway girls (top models Julia Jamil opened and Laura Muljadi closed) were sporting dark blue lips and side-swept hair which completed the moody and dark ambience from the fashion show. The dresses towards the end of the show comes in mono colors (red, fuschia or grey) with loose and relaxed shapes.

These Fall Winter 2013 collection from the Kraton label (Kraton means palace in Javanese word), has established his name as one of Indonesia’s brightest young fashion designers. Check out the complete runway looks in our Facebook fanpage, here.

Please do not reproduce any images without permission. All images are courtesy of art8amby.

Featured Article: FOLIAGE by Biyan

One of Indonesia’s established fashion designers, Biyan Wanaatmadja, presented his 2012/2013 womenswear collection for his mainline, Biyan, earlier this month at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, June 06th 2012.

The 58 year old was longing for the luxury of enjoying the beauty of lush green leaves and a field filled with wildflowers. That’s what inspired him for the ninety gorgeous looks entitled FOLIAGE. He translated his imagination on the forms of comfortable, easy to wear, easy to mixed and match, yet powerful, stylish and elegant collection.

Before entering the venue that accommodates more than 1000 guests, he teased us with the gorgeous greeneries installation at the foyer that suits perfectly with the lovely Victorian conservatory house-themed runway backdrop. Kinda reminds us about that 1998 movie adapted from Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations.

Other than black and gold, the color composition (tones of green leafs, celadon, sky blue, grey and geranium orange) reminds us about the green conservatorium/green house and floral scenery that is subtly nostalgic. We are loving the mix and match concept that harmonized and accentuate the femininity and subtle hint of masculine side of a woman such as shown in boxy jacket with wide skirt or palazzo pants and boxy blouson with svelte skirt.

This time, the designer who’s consistently held his annual fashion show every single year since 2002, goes different direction with loose relaxed fit, folkloric shirt dress, innocent peplum and dropped waist that’s combined with intricate details such as gorgeous floral beadworks, eyelet embroideries, exquisite Swarovski appliqués and ferns and leafs prints.

Biyan used various materials such as delicate french lace, tulle, silks, dots tulle, satin organza, woven raffia, crisp lurex taffeta, heavy crisp silk shantung, viscose gabardine and light cotton and combined it with wearable and covetable accessories: chunky necklace, beaded pouch and platform pump shoes (some of the shoes were decorated with beautiful crystals!).

Overall, those ninety looks from the designer whose his collection sold at Joyce (Hong Kong), Bergdorf Goodman (New York), Club 21 (Bangkok), Maria Luisa (Qatar) and Blake (Chicago) are very wearable yet delicately beautiful. It’s about time to see those dresses in real life worn by famous celebrities and featured in magazines (fashion editorials and socialites page) in the upcoming months.

Feel free to browse through our Facebook Fanpage for MORE images from the runway and guests.

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

All images courtesy of art8amby.

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.

Featured Article: Claire de Lune by Didi Budiarjo

Didi Budiarjo presented 50 looks for his latest fashion show entitled “Claire de Lune” recently at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta.

The senior fashion designer whose graduated from Lembaga Pengajaran Tata Busana Susan Budihardjo in 1989, mentioned in his press release that the essence of Javanese culture inspired this 2012-2013 collection by the subtle use of wiron, dodot, beskap and stagen. The glamour collection was divided into five primary color: white–which opened the first sequence, black, gold, blue and red.

The fashion show made history as the first Indonesian fashion show that streamed live through the whole world via http://www.wolipop.com and received an award from Indonesian World-Record Museum.

The 42 year-old Javanese-born designer also gave surprises in the model casting. The controversial actress and model Luna Maya, model turned actress Laura Basuki, former Miss Indonesia Universe Nadine Chandrawinata, and Indonesia’s supermodels Fahrani Empel, Karenina Anderson and Jenny Chang, who’s returning on the catwalk, made appearances on the fashion show along with some of the nation’s foremost model names: Marcella Tanaya, Kimmy Jayanti, Dominique Agisca Diyose, Kelly Tandiono, Christina Borries, Katya Talanova, Julia Jamil and Drina Ciputra.

We posted the complete runway images on our Facebook fanpage, so your eyes can feast through those gorgeous strapless dresses with zipper details, embellished minis, lovely feather cape, body hugging dresses with crystals, amazing headpieces and accessories by Rinaldy A. Yunardi and more dresses with his signature frills, drapes and pleats.

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.

Julia Jamil for dewi March 2012

Julia Jamil is wearing a sleeveless perforated and feather dress from the Spring Summer 2012 collection of Louis Vuitton for the March cover of dewi magazine Indonesia.

We’ve featured the stunning models couple of times here on art8amby. We photographed her backstage during Bazaar Fashion Concerto 2010 and backstage at World Batik Summit 2011.

Image via Dewi Magazine.

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

Bazaar Fashion Concerto 2010

I got the chance to attended the 2010 Bazaar Fashion Concerto at JCC Plenary Hall Jakarta on December 01st, 2010. The event was held every year since 2006 and this year was quite special because it’s also the celebration of Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia 10th Anniversary.

Crowd at entrance

They have 10 Indonesian designers with their fantastic designs that interpreted their imagination of Fashion and Technology just like this year’s theme : FASHIONTECH

Young talented Indonesia singer, Sherina Munaf are one of the performer on the show along with the extravagant Melly Goeslaw, the gorgeous Dewi Sandra, rocker Andy /RIF and the one and only Ubiet. Becky Tumewu was the host on that night while Andy Ayunir acted as Music Director.

The designers (with their collections name and make up & hair by) are :
Deden Siswanto – Great Galore – make up & hair by Donny Liem,
Sofie – Iconic Fluidity – make up & hair by Adi Adrian,
Kiata Kwanda – Sculptech – make up & hair by Jimmy Himawan,
Sally Koeswanto – The Extraterrestrial – make up & hair by Gusnaldi,
Wita for BIN House – Fabric In Motion – make up & hair by Qiqi Franky & Team,
Sapto Djojokartiko – Flysionaire – make up & hair by Philip Kwok,
Oka Diputra – Ré-Évolution – make up & hair by Michael Zimbalist,
Ari Seputra – Techno Afrique – make up & hair by Wim Soeitoe for KLEO Beauty,
Susan Budihardjo – The Glasses Pages – make up & hair by Qiqi Franky & Team,
Denny Wirawan – Eternal Revival – make up by Oscar Daniel hair by Hendro Revco.

This year’s show is the best in my opinion. From the theme, collections and the show executions. I was stayed on my seat until the show its over because they presented the great collections with a stunning presentations!!. The combination of techno music, great visual art and also the awesome runway presentations (noted that it was the works of Inet Leimena as show director and Panca Makmun as choreographer) made a FABULOUS show!!! My only distractions was 3 people that sat behind me. They chatted and commented all the way from the show started until the show ended with an annoying level of sound… Wish i could thrown something to them 😀

The Finale

I gotta say, my favorite collections are : Deden Siswanto with his love to local fabrics and Indonesian heritage (Paula Verhoeven looking fab with long silver cape as she closed his section!) he gave his signature collection with a twist. The dramatic collection of Sally Koeswanto where she knows how to dress a woman and make them feel sexy!! (the flowing gown is my favourite).
Sapto Djojokartiko’s structured and edgy designs was memorable!! He got his inspirations from “aeromodelling” where he combines wooden details and feminine fabrics such as tulle. One dress even have a wooden windmill on it and who can missed THAT finale dress worn by Bazaar Fashion Concerto 2010 face, Julia Jamil !! (some models wearing wood airplanes on their blonde beehives!).
Last but not least, Denny Wirawan with his military inspired collection (he used lots of red which is great for a different military look).

Sapto Djojokartiko

Denny Wirawan

Harper's Bazaar Indonesia Editor In Chief and former model, Izabel Jahja

Cosmopolitan Indonesia Editor In Chief, Fira Basuki

Too see the collections you have to be patient because Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia will featured the collections exclusively in fashion spreads in their future issue. And hopefully they will give a DVD just like the previous years so that everyone can see it also 😉

Amby from Art8amby.