Yogyakarta's fashion designers stand up to be counted

Yogyakarta's fashion designers stand up to be counted

Purnawijayanti
Contributor
Yogyakarta

A festive mood took over the restaurant at Santika Hotel
Yogyakarta. Guests got the opportunity to enjoy their lunch and
feast their eyes on a fashion show organized by the local chapter
of the Indonesian Association of Fashion Designers and
Businessmen (APPMI).

On the theme "The Spirit of Indonesia", the show, featuring
the collections of 12 APPMI members, was intended to draw public
attention to the region's rich potential and foster the interest
of the public, particularly the young generation, in their
cultural assets.

It was also about putting themselves and their craft out
front. As with their counterparts in most Indonesian cities,
fashion designers in Yogyakarta have to face the prevailing view
that Jakarta is the be all and end all for the country's fashion.

Standard advice for designers from areas such as Medan,
Bandung, Bali and Yogyakarta is to head to Jakarta to obtain the
best opportunities available.

That is the reality, but the designers showed that they are
still trying to hold their own by focusing on their particular
strengths.

Motifs of the designs emphasized Indonesian characteristics,
befitting the cultural hub of Java.

There were some standouts. Ramadhani A. Kadir was one of those
who opted for the beauty of Indonesian heritage as the theme of
his designs, a celebration of local flora and fauna.

Tomy Tri Wahyudi presented graceful dresses dominated by black
and white, with the designs much inspired by traditional
Yogyakarta kebaya (the traditional Javanese blouse) and lasem
batik cloth.

Other designers also taking inspiration from traditional
motifs were Michael, Mamik Puspito, Dandy T. Hidayat and Lia
Mustafa.

Designer Afif Syakur presented the theme of "Putri Kosmo"
(Kosmo Girl), while Luki Fajariati, who has become well known
beyond Yogyakarta, came up with the theme of the Orient Express
in keeping with his interest in Muslim fashion.

As the show was staged amid patriotic fever during mid-August,
the month commemorating Independence Day, several designers were
inspired by the revolutionary spirit of the moment.

Amin Hendra Wijaya, in featuring Muslim dresses, lent
prominence to the spirit of the national colors of red and white.
Ninik Dramawan, Sumarmi Arimbi and Kristiana Noviantari Caecilia
were drawn to the "Brave Heart" theme for their casual dress in
the dominant color of red.

The clothes on show carried price tags ranging between Rp
200,000 and Rp 3 million.