Orlane, for a wedding no one will forget<\/p>\n
By Dini S. Djalal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Glitz and glamour, pomp and circumstance: that's
\nwhat weddings should be all about, according to bridal salons.
\nPeople also often add that one's wedding should be \"something you
\nwill always remember.\"<\/p>\n
At the Orlane Bridal Salon show \"Timeless Romance 1995\", held
\non March 15 at Grand Hyatt Jakarta, there were plenty of gowns
\nfit for a queen.<\/p>\n
\"The 'back to nature' trend has made brides look as boring as
\ntheir guests. Orlane wants to offer a more dramatic look,\" said
\nLanny Setiawan, Orlane's make-up and hairdressing artist. Lanny's
\nmother, Siena, designs the gowns. It was also Siena who, in 1958,
\nset up this Parisian franchise. She sold the products door-to-
\ndoor, persevering until she opened West Jakarta's Orlane Beauty
\nSalon in 1970.<\/p>\n
Yet after 25 profitable years in business, \"Timeless Romance
\n1995\" is Orlane's first big show in Jakarta. Previously, they had
\nbuilt up their reputation almost solely by word of mouth. Greater
\ncompetition from other bridal salons, as well as a booming
\nbusiness in bridal services, has pushed Orlane to more aggressive
\nmarketing. \"Timeless Romance 1995\" offers a one-stop service,
\nwhere you can buy your wedding cake and plan your honeymoon all
\nat once.<\/p>\n
In addition to the 25 bridal gowns, 10 evening dresses were
\ndisplayed at the show. Many of the party frocks were floor-
\nsweeping crinolined pradas with plunging cleavages. A bustierre
\ngown of gold lace flowers, worn with a crown of gold flowers, was
\nquite a spectacle. Slinky black beaded shifts were also
\npresented, providing a saucy contrast to the demure white bridal
\ngowns that followed.<\/p>\n
Then again, some of the wedding dresses were not so demure. A
\ntower of second-skin white satin worn with a veil of feathers, or
\nan off-the-shoulder skintight brocaded tube dress, are not for
\nMiss Jane Conservative. Neither is the all-gold bridal gown
\n(surely a gamble) or the gown with massive appliqued wings on the
\nbodice (so the bride can flee the groom). Miss Jane Conservative
\ncertainly would not have even looked at the see-through bodice
\nworn with lace leggings underneath a robe\/make-shift skirt of
\npouffed taffeta and feathers.<\/p>\n
Would you wear any of these outfits? I asked Emma and Tina,
\ntwo young women shopping for wedding dresses.<\/p>\n
\"Well, they're very pretty, but ... no,\" they answered.<\/p>\n
Miss Jane Conservative would probably feel more comfortable in
\nthe Victorian lace ensemble, complete with Eliza-Doolittle bonnet
\nand a neckline higher than the Eiffel Tower. Thankfully, Orlane
\nalso offered gowns for those with stylish but not outlandish
\ntaste. These were typical flashy wedding gowns: off-shoulder or
\nshort-sleeved, in satin, showered with lace and brocade. All that
\nbeadwork still seems to flashy for me, but it pleased the
\nIndonesian audience.<\/p>\n
What was lacking, however, was an Eastern flavor. Most
\nweddings in Indonesia, regardless of the religion of the
\nfamilies, tend to choose tradition over fashion. Batik kebaya and
\nfancy baju kurung are the norm, so why was there hardly a stretch
\nof ethnic motifs?<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, Siena Setiawan remarked that her inspiration was
\nthe theme of \"East meets West\". She has observed that European
\nand American gowns are often too bland, while Asian designs can
\nbe too ostentatious. Setiawan tried to offer a collection that
\nwould bridge the two cultures, but her ideals did not manifest in
\nthe designs. These ensembles were no more particularly Indonesian
\nthan the fabrics used for the gowns. From Thai silk to Austrian
\nbeads, Orlane proudly announced that 100 percent of the materials
\nused for the collection were imported. Orlane's representatives
\ncomplained that too many Indonesians fly overseas to buy wedding
\ndresses, \"when there are nice designs produced here.\" Designed by
\nnative hands, perhaps, but not with local materials.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/orlane-for-a-wedding-no-one-will-forget-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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