Creative cleverness graces the catwalk

Creative cleverness graces the catwalk

By Danielle Bray

JAKARTA (JP): Modern, Expressive, tasteful and funky describe
the array of fashions showcased at Plaza Senayan recently.

The graduating classes at ESMOD, Jakarta's leading fashion
design school, presented examples of their creativity, hard work
and exotic vision at their Fashion Festival 2000.

ESMOD (Ecole Superieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode) was
established in Jakarta in 1996 and is the foremost French
franchised fashion school in Southeast Asia.

The annual fashion show exhibited 150 outfits from the
personal collections of the graduating students in the one and
three year programs. Their projects comprised technical drawings
on panels, a marketing package, creative materials and outfits.

Prior to the fashion festival, the students are required to
present their collections before a panel of judges. Awards are
given to the best fashion designer in each program, based on
originality, creativity and design concept.

Similar awards are given to the best pattern maker, taking
into account; technique, wearability and neatness. A special jury
award is also given to one student from both programs, depending
on overall presentation, perspective, appreciation and
communication.

The show was divided into different sequences, showcasing
designs from the one-year program (International certificate) and
the three-year program (International diploma). The students
chose themes that were used as inspirations for their work.
These ranged from the subdued Nature Maneuver and The Desert to
the adventurous Metal and Matte and Neo Dayak.

After the students complete their final year, they are
expected to participate in a work-study program, where they
obtain more practical knowledge about the fashion industry.

Diploma graduate Neni Djohan stated, "I want to get some work
experience with a designer in a boutique, my goal is to create my
own designs with an artistic flair."

Ruth Giovana, also a diploma graduate, has plans to work at
the Metrocorp garment factory near Jakarta. When asked how she
felt about graduating and embarking on her career, she exclaimed,
"look at our faces ... we are so happy!"

Fonny Sontama, also a graduate of the three-year program, has
plans to travel to the U.S. to further her education, and obtain
a degree in Fashion Merchandising.

There was no doubt that this was an exciting event, and the
reaction from the large crowd that formed around the catwalk was
positive.

Mathieu Gander, an instructor/designer at ESMOD, said:
"Jakarta is establishing a greater market for fashion design; it
is really starting to catch on."

It was obvious to the observer that the students have complete
creative control over their designs. There was a diverse mixture
of ideas and influences among the collections.

Diploma graduate Nur Aniza's ensemble of designs, called
Fusion, was inspired by modernity, Japanese styles, anime and
techno. She created a hooded shirt which almost appeared to be
metal in texture, coupled with micro pants and knee-high leg
warmers. It was a unique ensemble.

Certificate graduate Irwati Santoso titled her collection
Lidah Api (Fire Tongue), which comprised three statements of pure
creativity. Each outfit was garnished with red, yellow and gray,
symbolizing the flames of a fire. The models' hair was twisted
and teased to appear flame-like.

The show appeared to be a success, and heightened the realms
of fashion, thrusting young, local designers onto the stage.
There was a sea of talent among these mostly female students, who
seemed eager and excited to make their mark in the fashion world.