Bridal designer Kim Thong dies at 45<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's top bridal designers Kim
\nThong died of high-blood pressure at Medika Griya hospital in
\nSunter, North Jakarta, at 3 a.m. Monday.<\/p>\n
Born as Jam Kam Thong, the flamboyant 45-year old designer was
\nwell-known for his creations of lavish and exclusive bridal gowns
\nfor affluent clients and celebrities.<\/p>\n
Isye Soentoro, an editor of a bridal magazine, and designer
\nChenni Han accompanied Kim to the hospital. Isye said Kim was
\nadmitted to Medika Griya's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but later
\nwas moved to another room.<\/p>\n
\"The ICU was full that night. We were about to take Kim to the
\nMedistra hospital in Tebet, South Jakarta but it was too late,\"
\nshe said sadly.<\/p>\n
Chenni remembered Kim seemed very healthy. On Saturday, he was
\nseen fitting a bridal gown for a client.<\/p>\n
\"We never knew Kim suffered from any illness. He was
\nphysically fit,\" Chenni recalled.<\/p>\n
Other colleagues recalled Kim was happy and busy two weeks ago
\npreparing a special wedding dress and party for badminton star
\nHariyanto Arbi's fiance.<\/p>\n
Kim was considered one of the pioneers in bridal outfit
\ndesign. In l997, he dressed Indonesian badminton queen Susi
\nSusanti in a crystal-studded wedding gown valued at Rp 200
\nmillion which he designed and presented to Susi as his wedding
\ngift. His clients included families of Indonesian tycoon Sudono
\nSalim (Lim Soei Liong), movie stars like Nurul Arifin, Sophia
\nLatjuba and other rich and famous.<\/p>\n
The youngest of three, Kim started his career as a sweeper and
\na make-up artist.<\/p>\n
\"After I cleaned up the shop, the owner of the Salome beauty
\nsalon taught me how to cut hair,\" Kim once said.<\/p>\n
Kim took fashion design courses at Hong Kong Design School,
\nTokyo Bunka and other fashion schools in Europe.<\/p>\n
He established Kim Thong Bridal House in l978. By word of
\nmouth, his bridal gown business flourished even during the
\neconomic crisis.<\/p>\n
Annually, he produced about 100 wedding gowns priced from
\nabout Rp 10 million to hundreds of million rupiah.<\/p>\n
Kim was experimental. He often broke tradition by using
\ncolorful, assorted materials and designs instead of conventional
\nwhite or pastel colored wedding gowns. In one of his fashion
\nshows, Kim presented a denim wedding dress.<\/p>\n
After the May riots in l998, one of his exclusive boutiques
\nwas looted and burned by a mob.<\/p>\n
\"I was very sad because photo albums of my late mother and my
\nhat collection were burned along with my designs,\" Kim recalled.<\/p>\n
Despite the riot and insecurity, Kim insisted on continuing
\nhis business.<\/p>\n
\"Many Chinese Indonesians fled to Singapore or other
\ncountries. I love Indonesia and I want to die here,\" Kim once
\nsaid after viewing the debris of his boutique.<\/p>\n
On Monday, he passed away leaving a legacy to the Indonesian
\nfashion world as one of the most prolific and innovative wedding
\ngown designers.<\/p>\n
His body will be cremated next Thursday at the Atmajaya
\nCrematorium in North Jakarta. (raw\/Agni Amorita)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bridal-designer-kim-thong-dies-at-45-1447893297",
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