Featured Article: Sapto Djojokartiko Couture Fall Winter 2013-2014

The Solo-born fashion designer closed 2013 with his brilliant latest collection which was inspired by two international figures: Madame Grès and Irving Penn, who were popular at 1950′s (his favourite era of fashion). Drapped ball gown with hour glass silhouette, emphasizing on woman’s slim waist, was one of his signature designs this time.

Adjusting with current modern era, Sapto Djojokartiko made the dresses more practical, with light movement as the main focus. You can see lots of movement from the use of chiffon in the first sequence that was only presented in bold red and black. Shoulder was also one of the highlights from the first sequence, as lots of the dresses were showing the sexy area.

In the second sequence, Sapto presented more ladylike silhouette with elaborate brocade, luscious lurex, amazing beading works, and intricate draping technique. One of our favourite looks was the one worn by Katya Talanova. It was elegant yet sophisticated. You can expect to see his latest designs hitting red carpet events and fashion editorials very soon!

The latest collection from Sapto Djojokartiko was presented on December 18th 2013, at Kerastase 50th Anniversary event in Ritz Carlton Pacific Place Ballroom, Jakarta. Click here to view the complete collection.

Images courtesy of Sapto Djojokartiko.

Featured Article: Biyan Spring Summer 2014

Four huge “Garudas” placed strategically and majestically at the beginning of the runway, as a hint that for his latest collection, Biyan Wanaatmadja is taking inspiration from his homeland, Indonesia.

He used authentic Indonesian traditional textile and craft (batik, songket, tikar and basketry), as prints on light silk. He twisted the keraton inspired coats and jackets by adding his signature glamour touch in the use of intricate embroideries, beads and embellishments, which exudes the refined sophistication feeling. Some kebayas were modified in different silhouettes and volume, not to mentioned sarong inspired skirts. The juxtaposition between masculine and feminine were inevitable as some lace dresses were paired with cigarette pants. The use of delicate lace were interesting yet refreshing because Biyan usually used organza, tafetta, and tulle (which also appeared this time). Loose shapes is back on the runway, along with the effortless billowy sleeves.

Biyan doesn’t need bright and bold colors to celebrate his 30 radiant years in fashion. He mostly used down to earth and muted colors such as washed white, taupe grey, sogan brown, pumpkin brown and dusty pastels (chalk blue, celadon, peach, lilac tint, pale khaki). Even the lighting was sephia to make it more intimate yet serene. He also presented the ever lasting black and elegant midnight blue on the runway of his fashion show at Hotel Mulia Senayan on Wednesday, June 05th 2013.

Young model Hege Martine Wollan landed the honor to opened the show, while Paula Verhoeven closed. Some Indonesian runway veteran such as Laura Basuki, Izabel Jahja, and Wiwied also walked the show that night sporting similar neutral make up with sequined lids and sleek chignon like other models. He even casted supermodel Fahrani Pawaka Empel! What a lovely surprise for the excited guests.

“The Radiance Postcard” suits perfectly as the collection’s name because it reflects his creativity journey for the past three decades. He translated his memories diversity to this elegant yet modern collection with traditional twist. We are wishing Biyan all the very best for his upcoming collections and we are looking forward to see these dresses, coats and jackets on the displays of Bergdorf Goodman, Blake, Joyce, Club 21, Saks Fifth Avenue Dubai, and of course Net-A-Porter.

Read our review of his last year’s collection “Foliage” here, and click here to view MORE runway images of “The Radiance Postcard“.

Please do not reproduce the images without permission. Images must be accompanied by a working link to this post.

All images are courtesy of art8amby.

Featured Article: Denny Wirawan Bride 2013

Denny Wirawan presented his very first bridal line during Grand Hyatt Jakarta Wedding Fair last Saturday, April 13th 2013 at the hotel’s ballroom. The collection was named “Un Amore” and has more than 30 looks, including 7 pastel and metallic menswear suits. The current face of LT Pro and top catwalker, Katya Talanova landed the honor to opened the fashion show in a bold red flirty dress with flower petals. Flower appliqué appeared throughout the feminine yet elegant collection. Scattered below the waistline, on the shoulder, bust area, and on the train of a white dress worn by Ilmira Usmanova.

The 45 year old designer loved flower so much (as it fits the Un Amore themed very well) he even used it in forms of embroideries detailing, lace fabrics and damask patterns. Some of the beautiful headpiece by Oscar Daniel also comes with feminine flower details, while other headpiece was made from sparkly materials, metals, satin ribbons and feathers. The fun playful dresses in first sequence were very cocktail party appropriate with the use of pretty colors like teal, soft yellow, bronze, and bold red as primary color or just accent. Other details he used and featured in the second sequence were pearls, acrylic-like paillettes on the dress straps, and knotted belt–which is quite similar from his Bali Java collection showed recently at Indonesia Fashion Week.

Denny Wirawan gave lots of option for his various types of brides-to-be in the forms of svelte cheongsam, intricate evening dresses, mermaid gowns, kebayas, and ballgown shaped wedding dress (worn by Simona in the finale). This might be his first attempt to embrace the exciting bridal market, but we are pretty sure it won’t be his last. Check out the complete runway looks on our Facebook fanpage, here.

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

Featured Article: Indonesia Fashion Week 2013 – Melinda Looi Couture

Kuala Lumpur-born fashion designer, Melinda Looi showcasing one of her labels (the other two are Melinda Looi Prêt-à-Porter and MELL) in the recently held Indonesia Fashion Week 2013, last Thursday.

The three times Designer of The Year recipient (two from Malaysian International Fashion Week, and one from Mercedes Benz Stylo Fashion Awards) wowed the guests at Jakarta Convention Center with her folkloric, gypsy girl meets African queen collection. Chiffon, animal prints, lace, satin, and textured fabrics were her choice of fabrics. The shapes were loose and flowing, but somewhat still exudes the feeling of sexy, sultry and fierceness as top names Kimmy Jayanti, Dominique Agisca Diyose, Christina Borries, Putri Sulistyowati, Katya Talanova, Ilmira Usmanova, and Reti Ragil amongst other models walked on the wide runway that evening.

Looi, who graduated from La Salle School of Fashion in Montreal, Canada, completed the bold looks with equally bold accessories. Multiple strands necklaces, big glamourous earrings, multicolored turbans, chunky bracelets, and striking antlers headpiece and arm bangles. See the complete runway looks on our Facebook fanpage, and get ready to be blown away!

You can also read our previously posted reviews of Rudy Chandra, Jeanny Ang Couture, and Kraton by Auguste Soesastro.

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

Featured Article: Indonesia Fashion Week 2013 – Rudy Chandra

Parisian chic with Indonesian twist. Perhaps that’s the perfect words to describes the latest collection from Rudy Chandra, that was presented last Thursday during Indonesia Fashion Week 2013, at Jakarta Convention Center.

The designer used lots of chiffon crepe, silk satin, jacquard, gabardine, batik from Pekalongan, and combined it with 40s and 50s silhouettes, such as A-line skirts and dresses + chic details like gloves and playful ponytails. Peplum accents, pipe trousers, and pencil skirts were also shown quite oftenly in the collection. He completed the looks with ropes embroideries (symbolizing that women can be soft, vulnerable yet strong and powerful at the same time), to make it even more distinctive.

With the use of bronze, champagne, brown, and black as the main color palettes (with few looks in blue), Rudy Chandra managed to created a glamour, elegant, yet feminine collection, as intended.

Browse through the gallery in our Facebook fanpage to see the complete runway images from the fashion show. You can also read our previously posted reviews of Jeanny Ang Couture and Kraton by Auguste Soesastro.

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

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: Club Dahlia by Sebastian Gunawan

One of Indonesia’s most respected fashion designers, Sebastian Gunawan, just presented his 2013 collection at the ballroom of Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta (one of the regular venues for major fashion shows), on Tuesday, October 16th 2012.

The 45 year old named his latest collection Club Dahlia, and he translated his inspiration–an all female club in Florida, Club Dahlia–in ladylike and feminine shapes such as peplums, sleeveless dresses, ballgown skirt, cropped capes and jacket, billowy sleeves and 2012 biggest trend, pants over dress (in this case, the pants shown over a peplum dress that kinda similar to Raf Simons‘ first collection for Dior Haute Couture, and it’s very chic!).

Sebastian Gunawan infused his signature glamour touch in those fabulous shapes. You can see he used lots of marabou feathers, sequins, beads, flowers appliqué, and rich textured fabrics such as lamé, jacquard, satin, lace, tulle and brocade for his latest collection. He keeps the accessories minimal, only ankle strap wedges and heels, crystal adorned mesh headpiece/veil, and braided chignon. He let the dresses speaks for itself.

The color palette was opulently rich. Seba–the designer’s nickname–divided it in few sequences such as “This Innocence Is Brilliance“, “The Beauty of Interaction“, and “Rendition of Collision” in which he shown the lavish collection in yellow, teal, gold, dusty pink, baby blue, red, black and white respectively to the excited attendees.

As top catwalker Katya Talanova opened the show in an embellished trench coat and mesh veiled headpiece, you can sense that Seba will not go far from his signature style. There’s definitely something for every Indonesian fashionista which they can choose from the 95 looks he showcased. He also presented six gorgeous lace, tulle, shantung and duchess silk wedding gowns in the finale.

The collection will pleased his regular customers and fashion editors, as we are sure that it will fly out of the shelves and hit the editorials and his customers’ closet, very soon.

Check out the full runway images on our Facebook fanpage, here. We’d also like to give a special thank you notes to Vero Arfiana of Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia 🙂

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Please do not reproduce any images without permission. All images are 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