In the swim of things with sport as inspiration

Emiria Wijayanti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Atrium of Plaza Senayan in Central Jakarta was roped off for invitees and judges, with the runway set smack in the center of the bustling mall. Accompanied by the blaring background music, it was enough to attract the curiosity of Sunday afternoon mall- goers.

Last week, the Plaza Senayan Palm Awards: Young Indonesian Creative Fashion Contest marked its fifth anniversary.

The contest is intended as a showcase for the design talent and potential of young Indonesians, and the organizers also work to help financially disadvantaged designers aged from 18 to 25 by providing scholarships to winners.

This year, 20 finalists -- selected from 1,500 contestants representing 80 different locations across the country -- showed their creative efforts.

The contest's sports theme this year could perhaps be attributed to memorable sporting events taking place this summer, such as Euro 2004 and the upcoming Olympics in Athens.

Each finalist came up with one design inspired by a certain sport; visitors to the mall were presented with the chance to vote for their favorite of the designs, which were on display, the day before the final.

Adi Barian's Balet in Karet (Ballet in Rubber) was the first design to grace the runway and his enterprising outfit was a good measure of the colorful offerings to come.

His fun creation entailed the use of massive amounts of orange, red, green and pink rubber bands to create a bouncy skirt, which was paired with a red halter top, also adorned with rubber bands.

Taking his inspiration from gymnastics, there was a vivacious feel to his work that led to him finishing second runner up.

Dina Candrakirana's shiny feathery gown appeared set to fly, as her model was decked out in a sleek white hat adorned with long feathers around the edges, undeniably meant to give the impression of a shuttlecock.

Along with her floor length, diagonally cut dress ornamented with feathers at the edge, the Indonesia's badminton squad may well appreciate her efforts to accentuate the humble shuttlecock as an extravagant va-va-va-voom design.

And it seems Indonesia's loss at the hands of China in the Asian Cup did nothing to diminish the country's enduring love affair with soccer.

Dominica Cahyani's Goal dress was a floor length skirt, with a pattern matching that on a football. This was paired with a white bustier front-scrunched top and shoulder detailing. Cahyani's design also came out a winner, given the audience "favorite" prize.

Soccer was also on the mind of Surabaya's Eddy Susanto. Choosing Ricky Martin's Cup of Life as his background song, Susanto's Sexy Football Night was a halter tied back top, ornamented with shiny black and white layered material and an asymmetrical cut skirt, slit to the top and oozing sexiness.

The design would have been quite at home at the Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina, whose female fans are known for their saucy outfits.

First runner-up Irma Amelia said her inspiration came from basketball. Called Lady Night Blue, her choice of material seemed to be a constructed leather like fabric in blue and black.

The design featured tight fitting cigarette pants and a stomach-baring top, with a blue train and a cool blue black cap.

The classiest creation on display did not win first prize but fortunately did not go home empty handed. Wiwin Wikarsih from the Central Java town of Surakarta called her design Lurik Jepara Di Arena Pencak Silat, referring to lurik, the distinctive striped fabric of Central Java, and the martial art.

Karate kids can be thankful that Wiwin has offered an alternative for fashionable sports attire. Black was the color of choice and she put her leather-like material to good use, creating wide leg trousers covered by gold ornamented tulle on the front and back. The top was a v-neck halter-top ornamented with gold-green fabric.

She also accentuated the appeal of the outfit by creating a ribbon design out of the shiny fabric. Her elegant and creative design won her third prize.

Yusianti of Nganjuk, East Java, called her design Valentino Rossi, her inspiration coming from motor racing and, more specifically, the Italian racer and four-time world champion.

Rossi's classic racing jumpsuit became the basic of Yusianti's design. The high neck was kept intact, but the jumpsuit features were altered into cap sleeves and a black and white checkered floor-length skirt in plastic replaced the pants. There was metallic stud-detailed symbols written across the front and back of the top.

An added surprise was that the skirt was detachable, revealing neon green cropped pants and knee-high black pointed boots. Yusianti finished second.

First prize went to Dhani Setiadi with his After Swim creation. The Surakarta native blended billiards and swimming in his work, and his design resembled an overdone swimsuit.

Using blue and white as his two basic colors, Dhani added fin- like ends on the shoes and a train that came out the end of the short tutu-like bathing suit. With its shiny, bubbly material, the underwater theme was wholesomely and resoundingly felt.

After the show, head judge Taruna K. Kusmayadi explained what set Dhani apart from the rest.

"He had good knowledge of the plastic material he used and even succeeded in creating a liquid effect, to intensify his water concept," Taruna said.

"Winners were chosen based on the concept of their designs and the motivation they possess. This is important, as the winners receive a scholarship as the prize," added designer Musa Widyatmodjo, also a judge.

All six winners received a scholarship to study at LaSalle College in Jakarta, an allowance during their months at school as well as gifts from sponsors.

Musa, who served as a judge previously, also expressed his satisfaction at the growing interest in fashion.

"The contest is a good example how fashion is not owned by big cities these days. Youngsters from small towns come and demonstrate their trendy side. More importantly, they receive the chance to gain knowledge in design," Musa said.

-- The writer, an undergraduate student at Wesleyan University in the United States, is an intern at The Jakarta Post.