Made in India, or looks like it, for fashion clout<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indian fashion travels well: From the heyday of the silk road to
\nParis and New York runway shows today, the garments have never
\nfailed to inspire with the exoticism of their rich colors and
\nintricate details.<\/p>\n
The capital is no exception in getting caught up in the frenzy
\nover kurti (tunic shirts), pashmina, saris, salwar khameez (long
\ntunic dress), accessories and home decorations from India.<\/p>\n
Spot the mall-goers in Indian-style clothes or turned out in
\ntheir finery for parties and receptions, or the fashion pages of
\nlocal magazines crammed with Indian items.<\/p>\n
Major department stores, for instance, often hold crowd-
\npulling Indian fashion shows. Owners of small kiosks and stalls
\nat other shopping centers are not letting the bandwagon pass them
\nby, offering Indian shawls, cosmetics such as henna decorations
\nfor hands or the hair and accessories.<\/p>\n
Baby, 31, is a devoted shopper for Indian apparel, both for
\ntheir exoticism and larger size.<\/p>\n
"I like Chinese ethnic clothes, too, but often they only fit
\npetite women. Indian clothes, meanwhile, are mostly loose and
\ncomfier," said the private company employee.<\/p>\n
"I also love the elements.. the beads, the embroidery. It's so
\nrich, beautiful and distinctive. The style is also classic, so we
\ncan wear it anytime regardless of the trend."<\/p>\n
Indian outfits, many of which are long-sleeved and cover the
\nwhole body, also appeal to Muslim women here.<\/p>\n
With strong market demand, at least three Indian designers
\nhave come here in the past year and a half to show their designs.<\/p>\n
Although each offered their own individual flair, Anita
\nDongre, Tarana Masand and Ranna Gill were united in presenting a
\nmore modern take on traditional Indian clothes, but with the
\nornate details still intact. New Delhi-based fashion designer
\norganization Bridal Asia has also announced plans to bring over
\n10 Indian designers to Jakarta in the near future, which would be
\nonly its second show outside India after Pakistan.<\/p>\n
There is no need to wait until the designers make their way
\nhere, for Jakarta also has at least two boutiques specializing in
\nIndian clothing.<\/p>\n
The two-story Little India shop in Plaza Adorama located in
\nupmarket Kemang, South Jakarta, offers a wide range of clothes
\nand exotic handicrafts items straight from the subcontinent.<\/p>\n
Women's and men's wear, home decor, jewelry, accessories, from
\nsandals to bedcovers, can be found in the store.<\/p>\n
"Customers range from teenagers to elderly women. Here, we
\ngive competitive prices," said a shop attendant.<\/p>\n
Prices range from Rp 20,000 to over Rp 1 million for the
\ngoods, all of which are handmade, the attendant added.<\/p>\n
If Little India offers an entire stock of "made in India"
\ngoods, Fusions boutique at Saberro House Plaza nearby has an East
\nmeets West concept, although Indian items predominate.<\/p>\n
And unlike the more traditional outfits at Little India, those
\nin the boutique have a more modern silhouette but retain the
\nethnic touches, such as dye technique, embroidery and beads.<\/p>\n
"Indian fashion has gone global, so I thought why not do
\nsomething (here). I had an exhibition at Sogo and the reaction
\nwas amazing," said owner Pavan Kapoor.<\/p>\n
In establishing the boutique in March last year, Kapoor said
\nshe wanted to tweak the tradition-oriented image of Indian
\nfashion.<\/p>\n
Embroidered blouses and pashmina as well as Indian fabrics are
\nfeatured in the store, side by side with funkier items made
\nlocally or imported from Europe.<\/p>\n
There is also jewelry from around the world, such as South
\nAfrican semiprecious stones, and Indian antique Rajasthan jewelry
\nand Kundan (colored stones).<\/p>\n
The items range in price from Rp 300,000 to Rp 650,000 for
\nIndian blouse, Rp 500,000 to Rp 1.3 million for pashminas and Rp
\n45,000 to Rp 1.75 million and over for jewelry.<\/p>\n
There is undeniably beautiful stuff in both boutiques, and
\nit's great to see that Asian fashions can be rulers in the
\nregion.<\/p>\n
What remains to be seen is when Indonesian products --
\noffering the same richness and distinctiveness but perhaps
\nlacking that go-getting entrepreneurship -- will rise to become
\nfashion masters in their own land.<\/p>",
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