Bali awaits Fashion Fusion show
Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Bali never ceases to run out of attractions to capture the attention of tourists. After the successful Bali Fashion Week in August, the paradise island is gearing up for another huge fashion show at the end of this year.
Fashion Fusion, which will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort and Spa from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, will feature the new designs of Hong Kong's leading designer Kevin Yeung, Yogyakarta- based batik specialist Afif Syakur, Musa Widyatmodjo of Jakarta and noted gold-and-silver jewelry designer Runi Palar.
Mardiana Ika, who helps organizing the event in commemoration of the resort's fifth anniversary, told a press conference on Monday here that the initial fashion show is to showcase the high caliber of Indonesian designers.
"I have proven through Bali Fashion Week that we could introduce Indonesian designers to the world."
Yeung, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, will display his latest collection. During the conference, Yeung presented a spaghetti-strap gown, the back of the gown black and the front white. On the front of the gown he stitched black organdy triangles giving it a zebra look. The gown came with long black-and-white gloves.
The Hong Kong designer, who is known for his superior cut, also presented an off-one-shoulder black top, exposing the model's back, with black tight-fitting pants.
Afif featured two designs from his latest collection Misteri Soga. He also modified traditional attire to adapt to international trends.
He displayed a light-maroon tank top with batik pants and wrap. The batik, printed on hand-spun silk, featured a dark gray diagonal motif.
Another outfit was a square-motif sarong with tumpal (distinctive motif in a panel) on the front. It was combined with a purple bustier and a purple organdy blouse.
"Batik is an art. We must treat it like painting. Batik is completely different from textiles with a batik motif," Afif said.
Jakartan Musa introduced his mosha quilt sewing technique in his new designs combining traditional motifs from West and Central Java.
Sekar Jagad featured a simple white sack dress and a wrap. It seemed nothing extraordinary but the quilted wrap had a batik motif in the same color.
As for Mega Mendung, Musa presented a white three-quarter- sleeve blouse with Mandarin collar and a long white matching skirt.
"I want to combine good taste with traditional values in my designs."
Aside from featuring latest designs, Fashion Fusion will also display the latest jewelry collection of Runa House, owned by Runi and husband Adri Palar.
For the upcoming event, Runi will display her sterling silver, 22-carat gold and 24-carat gold collection.
"The jewelry is 100 percent handmade with several specific techniques such as granulation work and classical technique," she said.
To welcome its guests, Ritz-Carlton is offering a special package for the event, which is expected to become an annual event, worth US$295.