Few takers as local designers put on bazaar<\/p>\n
By Agni Amorita<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It is an unusually busy December this year, with
\nChristmas, the fasting month of Ramadhan and the New Year, with
\nits added punch of the turn of the new millennium.<\/p>\n
For many, it's time to splurge on new clothes. Malls and
\nfashion designers are bringing down the ax in a war of prices and
\ndiscounts.<\/p>\n
To compete with established malls and shopping centers, with
\ntheir offers of \"more than 50 percent discounts\", local designers
\nare working hard to plug their products. A popular approach is
\nthrough holding fashion bazaars.<\/p>\n
Four fashion bazaars were held in town last week, with the
\nbiggest one the designers' weeklong bazaar in Hotel Borobudur,
\nCentral Jakarta. Famous names like Ghea Panggabean, Adjie
\nNotonegoro, Itang Yunasz and House of Prajudi stood side by side
\nwith their younger generation designers and accessories
\nproducers, including stands touting cosmetics and diet capsules,
\nin the bazaar.<\/p>\n
The designer bazaar was held by fashion designer Ramli's
\nevent organizer, Ram Sarwigo.<\/p>\n
\"For 1999, this is our sixth designer bazaar,\" said Ramli,
\nwhose stand swarmed with his loyal costumers. It was not as
\ncrowded among the 27 other stands.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe people didn't get our message that we are offering very
\nreasonable prices here,\" Ramli said.<\/p>\n
\"I sell my collections at 70 percent price reductions,\" said
\nsenior designer Itang Yunasz. \"All of my fashion pieces here are
\noffered below Rp 100,000. You can even buy a dress for only Rp
\n45,000.\"<\/p>\n
Adjie Notonegoro also sold his collection for under Rp 100,000
\nper piece while Kanaya Tabitha gave a more than 75 percent
\ndiscount on her long dresses.<\/p>\n
\"Previously the prices of the dresses were Rp 800,000 each but
\nfor this occasion I let it go to Rp 200,000,\" she said. Still,
\nthere were few takers.<\/p>\n
Younger designers were enthusiastic about the bazaar.<\/p>\n
Carend Roan Delano, 19, said the few visitors to the event did
\nnot make a difference to sales. \"I can't say so because for the
\nfirst three days I have earned more than Rp 4 million.<\/p>\n
\"On the other hand, this bazaar is very effective for young
\ndesigner like me to promote my works in public, especially to
\nRamli's middle and upper class customers.\"<\/p>\n
Carend, who took only three days to create 40 new designs for
\nthe bazaar, spent Rp 2.5 million to participate.<\/p>\n
He considered it a relatively inexpensive cost.<\/p>\n
\"That amount was not only to hire a space for my stand but
\nalso for two fashion shows with leading Jakarta models and other
\npromotions.\"<\/p>\n
Kebaya (traditional blouse) designer Marga Alam, who has been
\nin the fashion industry for two years, agreed with Carend.<\/p>\n
\"The effect can be seen later,\" Marga said. \"The visitors are
\nnot limited because at first maybe they only want to see it,
\nlater, if they want to buy, they will come again.\"<\/p>\n
He admitted the bazaar was important for spreading the word
\nabout his designs.<\/p>\n
\"As new designers I need it to introduce people to my
\nexistence. And, in my case, this trick did work.\"<\/p>\n
He shared his previous experience after joining the same event
\nlast September. \"I don't mind if people don't buy my products now
\nas long as they keep my name card,\" he laughed. \"Because there is
\nthe strong possibility they will look for my work later on.\"<\/p>\n
Marga's collections, which are 100 percent Indonesian lace,
\nwere offered from Rp 3.5 million per set, consisting of a kebaya
\nplus batik stole and skirt.<\/p>\n
Ramli also expressed optimism. \"Next year I will hold the same
\nevent in January for traditional wedding and in March for a male
\nfashion bazaar.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/few-takers-as-local-designers-put-on-bazaar-1447893297",
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