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.