BWA's fashion show sets a new trend
BWA's fashion show sets a new trend
By Thalia Kamarga
JAKARTA (JP): A group of Jakartans have discovered a new,
unique way of presenting a fashion show.
Consisting of several little acts/dancing sessions along with
interesting selections of music -- from Let's Hang On from The
Manhattan Transfer to Shoop from Salt N' Pepper -- the 16th
annual fashion show presented by the British Women's Association
(BWA) in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's grand ballroom was
anything but customary catwalk choreography.
The gala event, featuring works by six designers, included
three categories -- formal, informal, and bridal -- and all were
both wearable and affordable.
"Our main concern this year was to have clothes on the catwalk
which you can actually go into a shop and buy," said Simone
Willimann-Novotny, the director of the show's production team.
Eveline Ma'roeff, who studied fashion in Germany for six
years, is one of the six designers who displayed her formal
collection in the show.
It appeared only at the beginning of the show as an opening
appetizer, was very formal, young, and chic in gold, silver and
black color lines. The shimmering pieces consisted of jacket-
trousers sets and a selection of evening gowns.
The other formal collection was presented by Incognito, a
fashion line owned by Syvlie Roszel. The clothing was very
Europeanesque with solid, bright blues, pinks, and yellows
combined with leopard-spot patterns, or black and white dresses,
mini A-line skirts, and trousers.
Dhanny Dahlan, a professional model turned designer, displayed
both her formal collection -- elegant blazer and skirt sets along
with matching hats -- and casual wear, which are mostly three-
piece outfits. Bright colors were beautifully combined with
either black, for the formal collection, or colorful flower
prints, for the casual clothes.
Animale, a famous Bali fashion house established in 1992, was
also included in this event. With its cool and comfortable
designs, Animale gave a great selection of informal wear.
Colorful patterns of loose and simple pieces, which are always
accompanied by ethnical accessories, appeared not only smart and
casual, but also elegant.
Another casual line of fashion on display was by Nico, a line
owned by Linda Santo, who is also known for her ethnic designs.
Her collection -- oversized tops harmonized with knee-length
skirts or long pants, or casual, light-weight dresses -- was
toned mostly by earthy colors.
Starting with Vanessa Mae's Classical Gas, the 22 models
wearing Eveline Ma'roeff's collection emerged onto stage one by
one, through three different entrances -- from backstage and two
other ballroom entrances. It all looked a little hectic until one
by one the models went backstage, leaving half a dozen on stage
until the song finished.
Twenty one musical tracks were played during the show, each
with its own choreography.
For example, All 4 One's Skillz accompanied three men dressed
as workers with their overalls and safety helmets trying to talk
and tease two snobby girls wearing sixties outfits from Incognito
complete with big sunglasses, little purses, and head scarfs.
This refreshingly different fashion show was surprising and
entertaining at the beginning. However two to three-minute songs
were far too long for the audience, and it all turned flat by the
end.
The climax of the show was when model Dianne Trigg stepped
onto the stage wearing a Rp 9 million (US$3,829) Johnny Andrean
white bridal gown, escorted by four male models.
The other attractive feature of this show was that none of the
models were professionals; merely members of the Jakarta BWA.
The fashion show, organized to celebrate the BWA's 25th
anniversary, was a charity event.
"This is probably the best way to give back what we received
from the Indonesians," she said, "so we will give the proceeds to
people who are in need."