Exploring the fashion world at local boutiques
Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta
It was a cool afternoon when a couple with discerning taste, browsed around Oscar Lawalata's collection at Centro, Plaza Semanggi in Central Jakarta. After several minutes of scrutiny, the couple decided to buy a two-piece collection of that young local designer.
"I always admire Oscar's chic and feminine style and I want my lady to wear this dress at our Valentine's dinner," said Ando, a young executive.
Plaza Semanggi is one of the shopping centers in Jakarta that titillate the fancy of well-to-do Indonesians with the latest collections from the country's top fashion designers such as Oscar Lawalata, Biyan, and Denny Wirawan. Centro also features a wide variety of accessories like handbags, shoes, hair ornaments, and other accessories.
Amidst growing international brand consciousness among them, the country's middle and upper classes are often seen flocking to the local designers' boutiques found at Kemang and Kebayoran areas in South Jakarta as well as major shopping malls and department stores.
Clean and air-conditioned are factors that make shoppers like to visit boutiques. Salespersons usually give more freedom to visitors to spend some time to explore the boutiques so they can choose the products comfortably. Some boutiques also offer VIP cards for their loyal customers so that they can enjoy a discount offer on certain occasions.
"I enjoy shopping at boutiques because the salespersons are equipped with product knowledge such as fabrics, model, color, and how to measure my body so that the dress will be comfortable to wear. I can also relax and shop without any annoying hawkers," said Furinta, a mother of two.
Besides enjoying window shopping at the fashion showcases, the shoppers also seek for the unique designs but still follow fashion trends.
"Local designers' products have strong, special characteristics. Besides, the products, to some extent, are cheaper than the foreign ones," said Rudi Hartono, the general manager of Mal Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta. The mall has a 2,000-sq meter array of boutiques called the CatWalk, which is located at the first floor of Mal Kelapa Gading 3.
The boutiques feature creations of 32 Indonesian finest designers such as Stephanus Hamy, Suzanna Wanasuka, Jeany Johanes, Vicky & Arivan Mas, Kanaya Tabitha, Rolla Yogiswhara, Mariana Sutandi, Denny Wirawan, Afif Syakur, Musa Widyaatmojo and Anne Avantie.
There are also Monika Jufry, Herman Nuary, Lily Admodirjo, Sandyanto, Ahmad Sofiyulloh, Dhedy Rizaldy, Taruna Kusmayadi, Poppy Dharsono, Lucia Suripto, Yongki Komaladi, Naniek G. Lukmito, Rudy Chandra, Agnes Budhisurya and Alphiana Chandrahjani.
Other designers like Denny Kho & Tee Dina Midiani, Etty Bachetta, Yulianti Panggabean, Lily Tandiary, Valentina Asjari, Elizabeth Wahyu, Yongki Komaladi & Ratih Soe also join in the floor.
The upscale elegant boutique-style shops offer beautiful traditional dresses as well as modern evening wear, such as kebaya, batik, ethnic clothes, casual and office wear, night/party gowns, cocktail wear as well as muslim wear and wedding dress. Such attire are available at Rp 160,000 (about US$19) up to Rp 15 million.
The CatWalk also has an array of handbag collection worth Rp 200,000 to Rp 750,000 and shoe collection of Rp 50,000 up to Rp 750,000. The boutiques also offer modern and traditional accessories such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces and jewels that are uniquely designed.
The accessories are available at Rp 20,000 up to Rp 2.5 millions. "Loyal customers of the CatWalk vary, from business women to teenagers. Sometimes TV stations also use the designers' creations for their presenters and newscasters," Rudi said.
After shopping at the boutiques, customers can relax and enjoy a light snack or a nice meal at De C'Walk cafe, which is circled by boutique shops. Live music or karaoke will entertain the shoppers. The cafe provides a center podium to stage regular fashion shows that are held every first Saturday of the month, featuring the latest fashion creations by Indonesian designers.
Meanwhile, an exclusive atmosphere is boosted at Chantique Skaly, a boutique shop located on first floor of Pasaraya Grande, Blok M. Creations of five established designers, Ghea Panggabean, Chossy Latu, Widhi Budimulia, Stephanus Hamy, and Carmanita lights up the shop. With bright displays of contrasting colors, traditional fabrics and subtlety, the boutique provides high fashion for women.
The boutique features unconventional creations of ready-to- wear attire, bridal gowns, formal attire, and traditional outfits. Sexy clothing combined with body-conscious styling are also available. It also offers the most interesting innovations of belt, bracelet, necklace, corsage, shoes, and handbag collections.
One corsage is worth Rp 80,000 while a wedding gown of Carmanita's is worth Rp 9 million.