Designer offers one-stop 'kebaya' haven<\/p>\n
Sherry Samtani, Contributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
When Joy Tobing took top honors as Indonesian Idol on Saturday
\nnight, she stuck with tradition in a pretty turquoise kebaya.<\/p>\n
The designer was Adjie Notonegoro who, along with Edward \"Edo\"
\nHutabarat, has taken a leading role in trying to keep the
\ntraditional blouse out front in changing fashion.<\/p>\n
For not only is the kebaya associated with tradition and
\nbeauty, but to most Indonesian women today it's a piece of rather
\ncumbersome attire. Retrieved from wardrobes for rare festivities
\nand often an opportunity lost compared to the latest evening
\ngowns, the blouse needs serious rejuvenation without losing its
\nesthetic appeal.<\/p>\n
One solution might be Tanti Setiadi's latest collection,
\nKebaya Exotica, offering a range of kebaya fit for any
\nfashionista.<\/p>\n
The collection was featured at the opening of her kebaya
\nemporium Talisa House in South Jakarta. The store's concept is
\ntraditional but with a modern edge, a philosophy that translates
\ninto her designs as well.<\/p>\n
Tanti, whose designs are worn by hosts on several popular TV
\nvariety shows, believes in \"sophisticated simplicity,\" striving
\nto bring the kebaya out of formal wear and into the streets. This
\nseason's playful colors -- rust tones, greens, purples -- and a
\ngreater inclination toward silk and chiffon might just be her
\nanswer.<\/p>\n
Known for her experimentation, Tanti began flirting with one
\nof Indonesia's oldest fashion statements in her later years. As a
\nwife and mother of four children, it was only then she began to
\nunderstand the flattery a kebaya pays to a woman's body,
\nirrespective of size. With an entrepreneurial mind but the
\nunderstanding of a fashion-conscious, she listed the needs her
\nkebaya had to cater to -- comfort, convenience and elegance.<\/p>\n
A few courses later, taken at Susan Budiarjo's fashion school,
\nshe knew how to bring her ideas to life.<\/p>\n
In 1996, she launched her first collection in Semarang,
\nCentral Java, and achieved national acclaim. Eight years later,
\nshe boasts three concept stores, with plans for a fourth one at
\n2005's Sudirman Palace.<\/p>\n
Tanti's Talisa houses, derived from the names of her three
\ndaughters Susmita, Elisa and Aishyah, aim to serve all the wants
\nof a kebaya-wearing woman: accessories, jewelry and even evening
\nwear to those who do not fancy the whole ensemble. It's a one-
\nstop kebaya haven indeed.<\/p>\n
This season's collection is no exception. Fusing silk, lace,
\ntulle, chiffon and the staple batik, the creations are truly
\nexotic. Expect to see beaded embroidery on traditional batik or
\nembellished silk tunics, however, as Tanti believes the cutting
\nand fitting should be personalized, so no one Talisa kebaya is
\nalike.<\/p>\n
Beauty has its price though, with the cheapest item being Rp
\n500,000 and the rest soaring through the roof. Tanti, naturally,
\nbelieves her work justifies the price and claims she caters to
\nthe middle class in addition to the upper class.<\/p>\n
In her opinion, she has got something for everyone, whether
\nyou are a minister's wife, celebrity or the general public. For
\nan expatriate, she suggests throwing one of her tunics over a
\npair of jeans or wearing a camisole with her skirts to be a bit
\nexotic.<\/p>\n
While still not appropriate for the mall or teenagers, her
\ncreations will not just make appearances at weddings but will
\nsuit a 20-something just fine for a night on the town.<\/p>\n
------------------------------------------
\nTalisa House: Jl. Cikajang 55, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
\nTel: 7260659
\nwww.talisahouse.com
\n----------------------------------------------------<\/p>",
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