Chui's shawl sweeps Paris contest
What is it about the winning combination of Indonesians, fashion and Paris?
Many have studied fashion technology there, some, such as Medan-born Farah Angsana, have made their mark by presenting their collections at the annual haute couture shows and others have taken prizes for their handiwork.
It was another example of the latter when the image of Borobudur temple painted on a lace fabric, combined with batik embroidery on silk on a purple shawl, won Indonesia the Grand Prix in the accessory category at a fashion event in Carousel du Louvre, Paris.
The shawl, named "Heritage", was created by Chui Sien of Interstudy fashion college in Jakarta for the Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode 2003 and Concours International Monnaie de Paris des Jeunes Createurs de Bijoux 2003, held on Dec. 18.
Adorned with beads and crystals on several parts, the shawl was presented with gloves and a purple choker, creating an elegant look.
For her winning creation, Sien was awarded a certificate, 3,000 euros in cash and an Air France return ticket valid on all flight routes.
Prix d'incitation, the best award in the fashion category for each participating country -- Canada, China, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Peru, Sweden and the United States -- went to a design by Puspa Yenti titled "Indie Oriental". The long dress, created from knitted wick strings and ornamental beads, patches and crystals, won the designer a certificate and 450 euros in cash.
The Grand Prix in the fashion category went to Bertolero Herrera Claudia of Peru with a three-piece design of pants, bustier and a leather robe. Claudia made a brown on brown-themed ornament using embossed leather and presented it with a stetson, as well as matching leather ornaments pasted on several parts of the dress.
The Peruvian designer won a 3,000 euros cash prize, a certificate and an Air France return ticket for all flight routes, as well as a one-year scholarship at Ecole de la Chamber Syndicate de la Couture Parisienne.
The 10 fashion and five accessory creations by young Indonesian designers for the Paris event -- this year taking Tradition and Modernity as its theme -- were selected in October, through cooperation between Dewi magazine and Air France Indonesia.
Indonesia's fortunes on the international fashion stage are looking up. Young designers' creativity and skills are proven, with fashion school students' designs measuring up well against their peers from other countries.
In 1996, Abinery Ang grabbed the Grand Prix in the fashion category and won a scholarship to study for a year at Chambre Syndicate de la Couture Parisienne, a noted fashion school in Paris. In the accessory category, Rusly Tjohnardi and Anissa Kunti were awarded the Grand Prix in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
-- JP