If most people recognize Ivan Gunawan as the MC and presenter on a slew of TV shows, the fashion show "Symphony of My Dream", held during Jakarta Fashion Week, clearly marks him as a fashion designer.

Ivan has held several fashion shows since opening his studio in 2004, but the show held at the Pacific Place mall was the first to feature his complete collection. It portrayed the flamboyant character of Ivan as epitomized in the line's bold color palettes and various silhouettes.

"I'm a dreamer. I dream in colors. The dresses are the epitome of imagination that pops out during the preparation phase," Ivan says. "As I place them one by one into a collection, I see them as a symphony filled with rich details."

While renowned for his non-fashion activities, Ivan hopes the fashion show will serve to show his consistency and commitment in the fashion industry.

"I want people to know me as a designer who has a total look combined with bold colors, elegant, sophisticated and glamorous elements that are enriched with attractive details," he says.

The show featured around 30 sets of dresses from his two brands: Ivan Gunawan and Love. His eponymous brand consists of exclusive ready-to-wear cocktail dresses and nightgowns, while the Love brand features distinctive wedding dresses.

To create the Ivan Gunawan collection, Ivan used jacquard weaving, famous for its beautiful colors, textures and pattern compositions. He found the fabric while on vacation in Bangkok.

"Using this fabric doesn't mean that I don't respect our national heritage of batik. I believe there are designers who are good at designing with batik, but that's not my forte," he says.

As a fan of bright colors, Ivan applies a gemstone color palette to his dresses. Colors such as fuchsia, azure blue, lime green and solar yellow find a way to complement the jacquard fabric. Even the black pieces are paired with eggplant purple, night-blue glittering silver and luxurious gold.

"I create a colorful collection because my clients always ask for colored pieces," he says.

Mini pencil skirts are the highlight of the collection, along with straight-leg trousers. They can be paired with an organza blouse enriched with dramatic layered ruffles or a balloon-sleeved blouse with beautiful pleat draperies or a blouse that balloons at the waist. There is also a tube dress paired with a stiff and shriveled shrug.

"As you see, there's no continuity in my collection. The silhouettes and the colors vary from one dress to another. I like to experiment," he says.

"I apply ruffles and frills because I like dresses that give the impression of movement, dresses that sway as you move. Perhaps that's because I grew up on the stage."

Ivan's Love collection features wedding gowns in various silhouettes, from ball gown to mermaid to slim, as he aims to offer new details that differ from the common traditional ones.

In addition to the white and off-white shades that most brides wear, Ivan introduces silver, gray and dusty-pink wedding gowns. There are the commonly used big brooches, crystals, corsages and ribbons that beautify the dresses, while there are other unusual elements presented as new attractions, such as feathers and frills.

"Turns out that in Indonesia, there are many brides who don't want to look ordinary on their wedding day," Ivan says. "I even made a black wedding gown once."

- PHOTOS BY R. BERTO WEDHATAMA

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