Norman puts sparkle into Jakarta fashion<\/p>\n
By Agni Amorita<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Fashion accessories have a long history in
\nIndonesia. The country's rich fashion culture is reflected in the
\nglittering appearance of an Indonesian woman, fitted out from
\nhead to toe, at special occasions.<\/p>\n
The traditional way of dressing up in one's finery continues
\ntoday. Different types of headwear, earrings, bracelets, anklets,
\nnecklaces and rings are considered an inseparable part of local
\nfashion, especially items made from gold, which are also
\nconsidered status symbols.<\/p>\n
There are shops selling gold as a fashion accessory in every
\ncorner of big cities, even the suburbs, in the country. It is no
\nwonder that Singaporean jewelry designer Norman Ang said 50
\npercent of his loyal costumers were Indonesians. Despite the fact
\nthat the country has not fully recovered from the monetary
\ncrisis, the jewelry trade is still doing big business in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
That is the main reason Norman, 36, has opened his second
\njewelry boutique in the capital. The owner of Heliopolis
\nAccessories, a boutique in Le Meridien Hotel Singapore, opened
\nhis branch with a fashion show at the Regent Hotel Jakarta last
\nweek.<\/p>\n
\"In term of business, I'd like to be closer to my customers so
\nthey don't have to fly to Singapore because of me anymore, and
\nsecondly, I hope it will increase a more progressive market
\nhere,\" said Norman, who kept to a tight schedule during his
\nvisit.<\/p>\n
He provided his jewelry for at least three big fashion shows
\nin Jakarta, including a memorial show for Kim Thong Bridal House
\nin Kempinski Hotel, one for hairdresser Peter Saerang and, of
\ncourse, his own show with the help of customers-turned-friends
\nSusan Budihardjo, Sebastian Gunawan, Eddy Betty and Didi
\nBudiardjo, all designers themselves.<\/p>\n
The local designers' collections acted as an artistic canvas
\nfor a colorful palette of fashion accessories made by Heliopolis.
\nThe western bridal gowns from Susan Budihardjo, bustier-look long
\nevening dresses of Didi and Sebastian, plus the Indonesian
\ntraditional sarung kebaya inspired creations of Eddy Betty were
\nharmonically packaged with tiaras, huge earrings and layered
\nnecklaces, not to mention fully ornamented bracelets.<\/p>\n
It also offered a smart solution in coloring in fashion; like
\nthose only willing to choose white as a wedding dress can always
\nturn to colorful accessories to spice the colors up, as shown by
\nSusan and Sebastian who matched shiny reddish jewelry with
\nbroken-white bridal gowns. Eddy Betty successfully modernized the
\ntraditional value of classical sarung kebaya into a younger look
\nby matching it with the colorful, contemporary designs of
\naccessories from Heliopolis.<\/p>\n
Norman claimed Heliopolis was alone in doing professional
\njewelry in Singapore.<\/p>\n
\"I have been specializing in bridal and evening jewelry for
\nthe last 10 years,\" he said. His creations are predominantly in
\nmetal plate, such as gold, silver, palladium and radium, but he
\nalso uses well-known Swarovski crystal for its exclusive stones.
\nThe expensive materials correspond into high price tags for
\nHeliopolis accessories, starting from Rp 300,000 for earrings, up
\nto Rp 4 million for a necklace.<\/p>\n
Norman's confidence in selling fashion accessories came from
\nexperience. He sticks to what he knows best.<\/p>\n
\"I never do fashion designs,\" he said. It works well. Local
\npublications have helped in building his reputation; people
\nflocked to his jewelry boutique after it was featured in Female
\nand Her World magazines.<\/p>\n
\"My Indonesian clients also found me in those publications,\"
\nhe said. Most of the clients became loyal ones without further
\nhuge promotional efforts because Norman always keeps their
\nsatisfaction guaranteed. His key is to treating them personally
\nand professionally, which is often overlooked by local fashion
\nproducers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/norman-puts-sparkle-into-jakarta-fashion-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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