Exploring the fashion world at local boutiques

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.