It's in the bag for style and practicality<\/p>\n
By Danielle Bray<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The choice of accessories to complete an outfit
\ndemonstrates a lot about individual style and taste. In a woman's
\nworld, it can make or break an outfit.<\/p>\n
Purses and handbags of all types have become essential in the
\ndaily lives of working women across the world. It is important
\nfor designers to create quality craftsmanship that withstands the
\nrigors of natural wear. Fashion in the new millennium has risen
\nto new heights, and functional has also become fashionable.<\/p>\n
Using a purse has been a part of feminine identity for
\ndecades, but the functional handbag has only been developed
\nrecently. The working woman, who seeks to maintain her
\nfemininity, graciously applauds the bold approach of the fashion
\nindustry and its attempt to mesh practicality with style.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is rapidly becoming a member of the trendsetting
\nelite. Although there is no temperature difference for changes
\nin season, the local scene is aware of fashion culture. Yet at a
\nrecent show for the Fall\/Winter show of Italian handbag maker
\nFurla, one male observer jokingly quipped: \"If this is an
\nautumn\/winter show, why are the models dressed in sleeveless
\ndresses?\"<\/p>\n
In the West, winter not only brings snowflakes, it also finds
\nthe trendy donning different color schemes and must-have seasonal
\naccessories. It appears Indonesians are also eager to tote
\npumpkin and gray handbags, and become victims to seasonal change.<\/p>\n
Jakarta may not have snow, but the winter season in the
\ntropics is surely beginning to be observed by the fashion
\nconscious.<\/p>\n
The show, held in the Fountain Lounge of the Grand Hyatt on
\nAug. 9, displayed a variety of purses by the design house, which
\nis known for its leather handbags. The purses, in an array of
\nshapes and sizes, accompanied the models as they weaved their way
\nthrough the crowd. Leather, wool, faux fur and elegant beading
\ncaptured the attention of the predominantly female clientele as
\nthey oohed and ahhed from behind the straws of their freshly
\nsqueezed orange juice.<\/p>\n
The handbags are designed in Italy, and arrived on the local
\nscene in December 1999. The family-owned company has been in
\nbusiness for over three generations. There are two boutiques in
\nJakarta, located in Plaza Senayan and Plaza Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The handbags are basic yet trendy ... we have had a very
\npositive response from consumers in Jakarta,\" said the company's
\nfranchise holder for Indonesia, Sylvia Haliman. They are not
\ncheap -- Rp 595,000 to Rp 3 million -- and the prices have
\nfluctuated along with the unstable rupiah.<\/p>\n
\"The diversity in price allows the consumer to perhaps buy a
\nfew pieces instead of just one!\" Sylvia joked.<\/p>\n
Models strutted through the audience displaying handbags over
\ntheir shoulders, under their arms or elegantly dangling from
\ntheir wrists. They worked the product, and demonstrated their
\nfunctional abilities through zippers, snaps and pockets. The
\ncompany also included its signature belts and sunglasses into the
\nsequences.<\/p>\n
The collection featured a variety of different looks. Purses
\nranged from the small and elegant, large and practical, to the
\nvivid and trendy. All styles retained a sense of classic
\nfemininity, and simplicity. \"This year the trend is to maintain
\nthe bright colors of summer, and not focus so much on the usual
\ndark hues of the winter season,\" Sylvia said. Bright green,
\norange and red tones complimented the nude and grays of the
\ntraditional look of fall.<\/p>\n
The handbags designed in quirky colors would only suit a
\nselect audience, minimalizing their practicality to a large
\nmarket. However, there was an abundance of the essential neutral
\ntones that luckily accompanies a wide variety of outfits.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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