The design of Samuel Wattimena's life

The design of Samuel Wattimena's life

By Asniar Shahab

JAKARTA (JP): Around twenty years ago a high school graduate
grabbed the attention of local fashion gurus when he was named
winner of a national fashion contest organized by a leading
fashion and women's magazine.

Samuel Wattimena fascinated members of the jury at the Femina
and Gadis fashion awards in l979 with his impressive designs, a
modification of Javanese court fashion which he called Sekatenan,
a religious and traditional annual ceremony held by the
Yogyakarta Court to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

Samuel was inspired by the grandeur of Javanese outfits worn
by male members of Yogyakarta's aristocracy. But Samuel modified
the belt used to hold the keris (dagger) with wide pleats.

Samuel's inspirational and imaginative designs stole the
hearts of jurors who later awarded him the grand prize.

For a young high school student, winning Rp 1.5 million in
cash and a plane ticket to Paris and London to observe the
international pret-a-porter ready-to-wear fashion shows there was
a dream come true.

The talented designer commenced his fashion career in the
early 1980s when the local fashion industry began to flourish.

Samuel's creations mostly explored the use of Indonesian
elements such as ikat woven cloth from Timor and Flores, East
Nusa Tenggara. He laboriously experimented with various ikat
fabrics and tailored them into modern apparel including suits,
blazers and various other garments.

For his meticulous efforts, Samuel was honored with the
Upakarti award by the government. Upakarti is a prestigious award
bestowed on distinguished persons who dedicate themselves to
preserving local environment and traditions.

His trademark was seen on the uniforms of official workers,
bus drivers, flight attendants, hospital staff and many others.

Samuel has frequently taken temporary jobs as a stylist for
teen magazines.

He also dresses local celebrities including Ruth Sahanaya,
Harvey Malaiholo, Andi Meriem Matallata and, of course, Jakarta's
rich and famous.

During his journey in the fashion world, Samuel was often
asked why Indonesian designers are not yet able to successfully
enter the international fashion market.

"It is really not an easy job. Money plays a vital role in
this business. If you don't have money, don't ever dream of
selling your products and promoting your designs in foreign
countries," Samuel said while sipping his coffee at a cafe in
Plaza Indonesia.

Samuel said the Indonesian fashion industry has not yet
reached a maturity where there is a collaboration between a
designer, the industry and the market.

"At present, most Indonesian designers face dire problems when
it comes to selling their products," he said.

Local department stores display designers' products and pay
them based on sales. "They refuse to buy our entire collection,
which they consider too risky for their businesses," said Samuel.

Designers without adequate financial backup would find the
system very unworkable, he said. "How can you expect our fashion
industry to grow if we don't have a favorable market system?" he
said.

Samuel has always dreamed that someday there will be rich
financiers who are eager to help designers develop the Indonesian
fashion industry.

In foreign countries, even in Asian countries like Japan,
Taiwan and Hong Kong, fashion designers are supported by rich
companies or individuals.

At 40 years-of-age Samuel looks comfortable and mature. "I
feel so happy and grateful. What I have achieved now came from
God."

Samuel views friendship as one of the most important things in
his life. "Friendship is a means for me to express and to
communicate my emotions and thoughts to other people, especially
those who I care for," added Samuel.

Getting older makes him wiser in life. "Someday, I have to
return to Bapa, Father in Heaven," Samuel ended the conversation.