Clothes made for the real world

Dean Sjahmedi, Contributor, Jakarta

Explosive, fun fashion creations from 91 students went on show in Jakarta recently in a glitzy, graduation-night catwalk show that audience members said was just like the real thing.

The students, who had just graduated from Jakarta's branch of the international ESMOD fashion design school, showed off their designs to friends and family, magazine editors and photographers, and most importantly, an independent panel of fashion designer judges.

Aimed to mirror an industry fashion show, the students were expected to act like professionals, designing and creating garments from patterns and sourcing, dressing and choreographing models on the catwalk and dealing with the media and the public.

The mostly playful designs and styles were as eclectic as the different materials used, a likely response to the name and theme of the show Made in World .

Pony-tailed models in hot pants wore holstered cowboy pistols alongside wavy double-bladed keris, others wore trench coats made of batik, a floral skirt was teamed up with a jockey's cap, a girlie dress was matched with a masked hood, manga-style.

While what the students presented was generally pleasing to the eye, mischievous creations outnumbered those that were seriously concerned with commercial designs.

Fashion designer Deden Siswanto, one of the judges that night, said that as novice designers, the ESMOD students were daring in expressing themselves and had presented some refreshing ideas to the audience.

"Given their great enthusiasm, I'm optimistic that there will be no need to worry about the next generation of fashion designers in Indonesia," Deden said.

Miranty M. Lemy, managing editor of Harper's Bazaar magazine, said the students' creations on show that night showed an improvement in design quality. A judge at similar events for the past five years, Miranty was impressed at the accuracy of the students in matching their design concepts to their output.

"This year the situation is quite encouraging. Amazingly, one student, just 17 years old, has earned the award for best pattern-maker. This must be the result of the school's continuing efforts to improve and adjust the curriculum."

Yogie Pratama Wijaya, one of the participating students, said he believed this was the most exciting graduation ESMOD had ever had.

"Many of my classmates also agree with me in this regard. We are so excited about seeing everyone's creations," he said.

Yogie said after graduating from the school he would change his focus from dressmaking to learn more about the other aspects of the fashion business -- organizing fashion events, choreography and model management.

The school's president director, Mayadewi Hartarto, said the international nature of ESMOD meant that future students could gain inspiration from fellow graduates around the world.

"Fortunately, our schools are based in 10 countries, so we have the opportunity to participate in international activities and I hope international ESMOD events will start being held in Jakarta next year."