Top designers join fashion, art party
JAKARTA (JP): About 30 top local designers will take part in a week-long fashion and art event starting Sunday at the Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, in celebration of Jakarta's 472nd anniversary and Indonesia's 54th Independence day.
The 1999 Fashion and Art Party, held by the city Tourism Agency in cooperation with the Hotel Borobudur and Ram Sarwigo event organizer, will present the works of well-known fashion designers Adjie Notonegoro, Carmanita, Dipa, Ghea S. Panggabean, Hanum Gularso, Itang Yunasz, Nielwan Anwar, Oscar Lawalata, Poppy Dharsono, Robby Tumewu and Ramli.
Bridal wear from Eva Bun Bridal, Tarzan Photo and Bridal, Devi Bridal, as well as Hengky Tandayu with his interior bridal expertise, will add glamor to the show. Various exhibitions, as well as traditional Indonesian handicrafts, in association with the National Handicraft Agency, will showcase the diversity of Indonesian creativity.
Top ex-models Dewi Motik, Enny Soekamto, Nani Sakri, Rima Melati and Titi Qadarsih will show a different side to their personalities, with a display of their paintings.
"The purpose of this event is to present products of competitive quality, to turn Indonesia into a fashion city with relations with other fashion cities in the world, and also to enrich Jakarta as a capital city," tourism agency spokesman Parlin Parlindungan said.
"Our target is to increase the appreciation of Indonesian products as well as to develop our cultural existence through Indonesia's own designer labels."
It is hoped that the event will be a barometer of fashion in Indonesia, in terms of combining different aspects from different designers integrated as one for the nation's benefit.
Designer Ramli said: "We also hope to attract foreign buyers as well as local buyers; purchases can be made directly on the spot."
"We are inviting small handicraft experts from around Indonesia to help develop their businesses through ideas that they might obtain from experienced people present at the event," he said.
The event will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Governor Sutiyoso is expected to officially open the event at noon on Aug. 1. A Miss and Mr. Central Jakarta contest will take place in the evening. Fashion shows will be held every day from Aug. 2. Some of them are only for invitees, while others are open to the public. Viewing shows open to the public are at: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Aug. 4, 7 p.m. on Aug. 6 and at noon on Aug. 7. The event will close with a special charity fashion show by The Indonesian Heart Foundation.