Designer offers one-stop 'kebaya' haven

Designer offers one-stop 'kebaya' haven

Sherry Samtani, Contributor/Jakarta

When Joy Tobing took top honors as Indonesian Idol on Saturday
night, she stuck with tradition in a pretty turquoise kebaya.

The designer was Adjie Notonegoro who, along with Edward "Edo"
Hutabarat, has taken a leading role in trying to keep the
traditional blouse out front in changing fashion.

For not only is the kebaya associated with tradition and
beauty, but to most Indonesian women today it's a piece of rather
cumbersome attire. Retrieved from wardrobes for rare festivities
and often an opportunity lost compared to the latest evening
gowns, the blouse needs serious rejuvenation without losing its
esthetic appeal.

One solution might be Tanti Setiadi's latest collection,
Kebaya Exotica, offering a range of kebaya fit for any
fashionista.

The collection was featured at the opening of her kebaya
emporium Talisa House in South Jakarta. The store's concept is
traditional but with a modern edge, a philosophy that translates
into her designs as well.

Tanti, whose designs are worn by hosts on several popular TV
variety shows, believes in "sophisticated simplicity," striving
to bring the kebaya out of formal wear and into the streets. This
season's playful colors -- rust tones, greens, purples -- and a
greater inclination toward silk and chiffon might just be her
answer.

Known for her experimentation, Tanti began flirting with one
of Indonesia's oldest fashion statements in her later years. As a
wife and mother of four children, it was only then she began to
understand the flattery a kebaya pays to a woman's body,
irrespective of size. With an entrepreneurial mind but the
understanding of a fashion-conscious, she listed the needs her
kebaya had to cater to -- comfort, convenience and elegance.

A few courses later, taken at Susan Budiarjo's fashion school,
she knew how to bring her ideas to life.

In 1996, she launched her first collection in Semarang,
Central Java, and achieved national acclaim. Eight years later,
she boasts three concept stores, with plans for a fourth one at
2005's Sudirman Palace.

Tanti's Talisa houses, derived from the names of her three
daughters Susmita, Elisa and Aishyah, aim to serve all the wants
of a kebaya-wearing woman: accessories, jewelry and even evening
wear to those who do not fancy the whole ensemble. It's a one-
stop kebaya haven indeed.

This season's collection is no exception. Fusing silk, lace,
tulle, chiffon and the staple batik, the creations are truly
exotic. Expect to see beaded embroidery on traditional batik or
embellished silk tunics, however, as Tanti believes the cutting
and fitting should be personalized, so no one Talisa kebaya is
alike.

Beauty has its price though, with the cheapest item being Rp
500,000 and the rest soaring through the roof. Tanti, naturally,
believes her work justifies the price and claims she caters to
the middle class in addition to the upper class.

In her opinion, she has got something for everyone, whether
you are a minister's wife, celebrity or the general public. For
an expatriate, she suggests throwing one of her tunics over a
pair of jeans or wearing a camisole with her skirts to be a bit
exotic.

While still not appropriate for the mall or teenagers, her
creations will not just make appearances at weddings but will
suit a 20-something just fine for a night on the town.

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Talisa House: Jl. Cikajang 55, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Tel: 7260659
www.talisahouse.com
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