Chui's shawl sweeps Paris contest

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