Clothes made for the real world<\/p>\n
Dean Sjahmedi, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Explosive, fun fashion creations from 91 students went on show
\nin Jakarta recently in a glitzy, graduation-night catwalk show
\nthat audience members said was just like the real thing.<\/p>\n
The students, who had just graduated from Jakarta's branch of
\nthe international ESMOD fashion design school, showed off their
\ndesigns to friends and family, magazine editors and
\nphotographers, and most importantly, an independent panel of
\nfashion designer judges.<\/p>\n
Aimed to mirror an industry fashion show, the students were
\nexpected to act like professionals, designing and creating
\ngarments from patterns and sourcing, dressing and choreographing
\nmodels on the catwalk and dealing with the media and the public.<\/p>\n
The mostly playful designs and styles were as eclectic as the
\ndifferent materials used, a likely response to the name and theme
\nof the show Made in World .<\/p>\n
Pony-tailed models in hot pants wore holstered cowboy pistols
\nalongside wavy double-bladed keris, others wore trench coats made
\nof batik, a floral skirt was teamed up with a jockey's cap, a
\ngirlie dress was matched with a masked hood, manga-style.<\/p>\n
While what the students presented was generally pleasing to
\nthe eye, mischievous creations outnumbered those that were
\nseriously concerned with commercial designs.<\/p>\n
Fashion designer Deden Siswanto, one of the judges that night,
\nsaid that as novice designers, the ESMOD students were daring in
\nexpressing themselves and had presented some refreshing ideas to
\nthe audience.<\/p>\n
\"Given their great enthusiasm, I'm optimistic that there will
\nbe no need to worry about the next generation of fashion
\ndesigners in Indonesia,\" Deden said.<\/p>\n
Miranty M. Lemy, managing editor of Harper's Bazaar magazine,
\nsaid the students' creations on show that night showed an
\nimprovement in design quality. A judge at similar events for the
\npast five years, Miranty was impressed at the accuracy of the
\nstudents in matching their design concepts to their output.<\/p>\n
\"This year the situation is quite encouraging. Amazingly, one
\nstudent, just 17 years old, has earned the award for best
\npattern-maker. This must be the result of the school's continuing
\nefforts to improve and adjust the curriculum.\"<\/p>\n
Yogie Pratama Wijaya, one of the participating students, said
\nhe believed this was the most exciting graduation ESMOD had ever
\nhad.<\/p>\n
\"Many of my classmates also agree with me in this regard. We
\nare so excited about seeing everyone's creations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yogie said after graduating from the school he would change
\nhis focus from dressmaking to learn more about the other aspects
\nof the fashion business -- organizing fashion events,
\nchoreography and model management.<\/p>\n
The school's president director, Mayadewi Hartarto, said the
\ninternational nature of ESMOD meant that future students could
\ngain inspiration from fellow graduates around the world.<\/p>\n
\"Fortunately, our schools are based in 10 countries, so we
\nhave the opportunity to participate in international activities
\nand I hope international ESMOD events will start being held in
\nJakarta next year.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clothes-made-for-the-real-world-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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