Bridal designer Kim Thong dies at 45

JAKARTA (JP): One of Indonesia's top bridal designers Kim Thong died of high-blood pressure at Medika Griya hospital in Sunter, North Jakarta, at 3 a.m. Monday.

Born as Jam Kam Thong, the flamboyant 45-year old designer was well-known for his creations of lavish and exclusive bridal gowns for affluent clients and celebrities.

Isye Soentoro, an editor of a bridal magazine, and designer Chenni Han accompanied Kim to the hospital. Isye said Kim was admitted to Medika Griya's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but later was moved to another room.

"The ICU was full that night. We were about to take Kim to the Medistra hospital in Tebet, South Jakarta but it was too late," she said sadly.

Chenni remembered Kim seemed very healthy. On Saturday, he was seen fitting a bridal gown for a client.

"We never knew Kim suffered from any illness. He was physically fit," Chenni recalled.

Other colleagues recalled Kim was happy and busy two weeks ago preparing a special wedding dress and party for badminton star Hariyanto Arbi's fiance.

Kim was considered one of the pioneers in bridal outfit design. In l997, he dressed Indonesian badminton queen Susi Susanti in a crystal-studded wedding gown valued at Rp 200 million which he designed and presented to Susi as his wedding gift. His clients included families of Indonesian tycoon Sudono Salim (Lim Soei Liong), movie stars like Nurul Arifin, Sophia Latjuba and other rich and famous.

The youngest of three, Kim started his career as a sweeper and a make-up artist.

"After I cleaned up the shop, the owner of the Salome beauty salon taught me how to cut hair," Kim once said.

Kim took fashion design courses at Hong Kong Design School, Tokyo Bunka and other fashion schools in Europe.

He established Kim Thong Bridal House in l978. By word of mouth, his bridal gown business flourished even during the economic crisis.

Annually, he produced about 100 wedding gowns priced from about Rp 10 million to hundreds of million rupiah.

Kim was experimental. He often broke tradition by using colorful, assorted materials and designs instead of conventional white or pastel colored wedding gowns. In one of his fashion shows, Kim presented a denim wedding dress.

After the May riots in l998, one of his exclusive boutiques was looted and burned by a mob.

"I was very sad because photo albums of my late mother and my hat collection were burned along with my designs," Kim recalled.

Despite the riot and insecurity, Kim insisted on continuing his business.

"Many Chinese Indonesians fled to Singapore or other countries. I love Indonesia and I want to die here," Kim once said after viewing the debris of his boutique.

On Monday, he passed away leaving a legacy to the Indonesian fashion world as one of the most prolific and innovative wedding gown designers.

His body will be cremated next Thursday at the Atmajaya Crematorium in North Jakarta. (raw/Agni Amorita)