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Local designers to bring touch of Indonesia to Korea
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Indonesian designers Afina Candarini (left), Istafiana Candarini (center) and Nadya Karina are set to showcase their collections at Fashion KODE in Seoul. (Fashionkode.com/File)
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ocal labels Kami and Bateeq, which specialize in modest fashion and batik, respectively, are set to present their latest collections at Seoul's Fashion KODE, a fashion and culture event held biannually in the South Korean capital, on Sunday.
Launched nine years ago in Indonesia, Kami is set to present its collections for the first time outside of the Southeast Asian region, after having established markets in Malaysia and Singapore.
Nadya Karina, Kami's creative director and co-founder, said East Asia presented its own challenges in introducing modest fashion, a term that refers to clothing that is not revealing.
"Over there, not many women wear hijab. So the challenge is on how we can penetrate that market, as it is not common there, and how it would be received," Nadya said recently in Jakarta.
The collection created for the upcoming show was inspired by the type of clothing worn on lazy Sunday mornings, said Kami director and co-founder Istafiana Candarini, adding that it consisted of 15 looks, including cozy kimonos, laid-back outerwear and lounge wear.
"The silhouettes were inspired by the kind of clothes one would typically wear when relaxing at home. So it's loose-fitted, even the pants, which are comfortable to wear but still look dressed-up," Istafiana said.
Taking on a marble pattern base, the collection is dominated by the pastel colors of peachy pink and ash-green shades. "But it would still include an element of fun with a pop of color," Istafiana said.
Read also: Indonesian designer to showcase South Kalimantan fabrics in New York
Bateeq, meanwhile, will bring to the Korean show its signature batik designs made from environmentally friendly material, such as bamboo fibers and Bemberg, a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton. Inspired by shadow puppets, the label is also set to present 15 looks.
"We've prepared the designs, motifs and clothing constructions. I hope Indonesian brands are not only known for impressive batik motifs, but also its designs," Bateeq chief executive officer and designer Michelle Tjokrosaputro said.
Running from March 15 to 17, Fashion KODE is a government-hosted event organized by the Korean Creative Content Agency. For the past three years, the agency has collaborated with Jakarta Fashion Week and Indonesia's Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) on the Indonesia Fashion Forward program.
Last year, Indonesian designers Ria Miranda and the SOE Jakarta label presented at the event in Seoul. Similarly, Korean designers have presented their own collections at Jakarta Fashion Week. (wng)
