Indonesian student comes close at Paris contest<\/p>\n
Kunang Helmi, Contributor\/Paris<\/p>\n
An Indonesian fashion writer commented recently that local
\ndesigners never seem to renew their inspiration and live far from
\nthe innovative trends found on the international fashion scene.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the writer was not aware that Indonesia's younger
\ngeneration certainly makes a huge effort to keep up, and even
\ncreate, new trends. One way is to win a fashion competition in
\nIndonesia and participate in a more important one in Paris.<\/p>\n
Here, if they are lucky enough to be able to afford the
\nticket, they can spend a week window-shopping or meeting French
\nyoung designers and more established ones at the competition
\nvenue.<\/p>\n
This year's Indonesian delegation to the International Young
\nFashion Designers Contest, consisting of embassy members, fashion
\nstudents and Indonesian expats, was largely outnumbered by the
\nJapanese delegation. Despite this fact, whenever an Indonesian
\ncreation was presented, enthusiastic clapping rose up from the
\nranks of the spectators.<\/p>\n
While woman of letters Pia Alisjahbana voted on the
\ndistinguished jury that included veteran fashion designer Pierre
\nCardin, five Indonesian fashion students competed with others
\nfrom 14 other nations for the Accessories Prize and 10
\nIndonesians for the Grand Prix Fashion Award in Paris. The
\ncontest has become an important part of the French fashion
\ncalendar and is held in December each year.<\/p>\n
"This is the 12th year that Indonesia has taken part in the
\nfashion competition sponsored by Air France," said Pia. "Although
\nthe competition existed for 22 years, I only found out about it
\nwhile on a trip to Paris 13 years ago. Our publishing house,
\nFemina magazines, and more particularly DEWI magazine, holds a
\npreliminary competition in Indonesia every year to select the
\nparticipants from those attending officially recognized fashion
\nschools."<\/p>\n
This year Sweden, Germany and Thailand joined the ranks of
\nparticipating nations from four continents. The Federation
\nFrancaise de la Couture, du Pret-a-Porter des Couturiers et des
\nCreateurs de Mode organized the event, which celebrates the
\nimportance of French fashion worldwide. The lucky winners of the
\ntwo main prizes earn a certificate, a year's study at the school
\norganized by the federation, a return ticket to Paris and an
\nimportant scholarship of 3,000 euros.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Lesage Embroidery School also offers 30
\nhours of specialized training in embroidery to the lucky winner.<\/p>\n
The theme was environment and ecology for the 22nd
\ncompetition, which took place at the Carrousel du Louvre,
\ntraditionally the venue for big fashion events in Paris. Called
\non to show their imagination, students resorted to materials such
\nas vetiver root, raffia, split bamboo, raw wool, cotton, silk and
\neven wood for a much lauded handbag.<\/p>\n
In each section there are incentive prizes besides the Grand
\nPrize (the latter may not be awarded every year if the jury does
\nnot find a creation judged worthy of each section).<\/p>\n
Outside in the entrance hall visitors were greeted by the
\naccessories entered in the competition. Displayed prominently,
\nthey came under close scrutiny because this year they would not
\nbe presented in a catwalk show as before. Further on, fashion
\nstudents presented the conceptual sketches of their entries for
\nthe fashion competition on large panels.<\/p>\n
However, nothing can compete with the atmosphere of a live
\nfashion show abuzz with happy spectators, lovely mannequins and
\nexquisite creations in the spotlight. Under the eyes of fashion
\ndesigners such as Franck Sorbier and Marc Le Bihan with Madame
\nCatherine Join-Deiterle from the Fashion Museum Galliera, all of
\nwhom were also members of the jury, large photos of the
\naccessories in the competition flashed by.<\/p>\n
Fur, feathers and gold straps delicately adorned a strapless
\nblack cocktail dress. A shaped hand encircling the neck and
\nprotecting the mouth with a bejeweled ring finger, made for an
\noriginal necklace fashioned out of fragrant vetiver root, by
\nIndonesia's Tex Saverio Gunawan, won an Incitation Prize of 450
\neuros in that section.<\/p>\n
Pakistani students used lots of metal in their entries, like
\noversized watches together with a black and white ring. Republic
\nof China students went for the ethnic look with long necklaces,
\nresembling ethnic minority jewelry, hanging at the back or metal
\nbosom cups worn over a black dress.<\/p>\n
Mawardi, a student of the Bunka School of Fashion in Jakarta
\nnarrowly missed the Grand Prix but won an Incitation Prize for
\nhis gown. The design was made of horsehair material, which is
\nnormally used to manufacture handbags. The yellow, beige and
\nolive green "petals" were enhanced by metal circles. The evening
\ndress was ample, with a matching, pyramid-shaped cape hood that
\nwas very elegant.<\/p>\n
The winner was Sun Dawei, a Malaysian student studying in
\nParis entered in the French delegation. His dress was a delicate
\npetal strewn cocoon sheath in white to pale blue organdy.<\/p>\n
Fellow French student Batteux won the main accessory prize
\nwith his large belt, like a lavish sash with floral
\nornamentation. Some spectators grumbled that it was not fair that
\nFrance carried off the main prizes but it was the first time it
\nhad happened, so the jury cannot be accused of favoritism.<\/p>\n
Cardin was so impressed by the main fashion prize that he
\nawarded a supplementary prize, but it was not clear whether it
\nwas for the mannequin or the petal dress itself.<\/p>\n
After the event the participants from Canada, America,
\nIndonesia, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, China, Thailand,
\nArgentina, Columbia, Peru, France, Germany, Sweden and Britain
\nstreamed out to enjoy the sparkling Christmas decorations lining
\nthe Champs Elysees and the Avenue de l'Opera. Yes, one can also
\nlove Paris in the winter.<\/p>",
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