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.