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span class="inline inline-left">At the age of 9 years old, Rafi Abdurrahman Ridwan is serious about his big dream – showcasing his works in three of the world’s most famous fashion capitals: Milan, Paris and New York.

A high pile of sketches and drawing books, containing various designs, are enough to show the boy does not have a shadow of a doubt about his ability to become a fashion designer.

His journey may still lay a long way off, but he is willing to begin it early by collaborating with renowned designer Barli Asmara.

The two presented seven pieces from their collaboration before their families, friends, other designers and celebrities recently at Canteen restaurant in Plaza Indonesia. It was a dream came true for Rafi, who also celebrated his ninth birthday at the occasion.

Barli said Rafi has numerous designs but he saw a similarity among his seven designs and decided to produce them to be presented in the fashion show, entitled “Eastern Everland”.

“He is good in making motifs. Eastern is a resemblance of Asia and Everland is his imaginary world, which is reflected in the birds, polka dots and flowery motifs,” he said.

Rafi beamed with joy to see his designs worn by seven tall and beautiful models — Dominique Diyose, Evie Mulya, Fanny Fabriana, Kimmy Jayanti, Laura Muljadi, Nadya Jusuf and Yasmine. His original colorful designs were printed on white T-shirts and were available for sale during the event.

Color blocking and quirky motifs were the show’s highlights. Bright and shiny colors along with their cheerful motifs were blended into each outfit, creating a playful ambience that reminded us of the nuances in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

Most of them may not be a ready-to-wear collection, but showcase Rafi’s penchant and wild imagination for motifs.

A Japanese kimono worn by Laura Muljadi was the highlight. The red kimono had little cloud motifs on the entire silhouette except on the blue chest and on the blue tip of the exaggerated long sleeves, which had yellow, red and white tiny polka-dotted patterns.

Another collection included knee-length black shorts with pink, red and blue tree-inspired polka dots, which were combined with a flowery blue top and a short maroon cape.

Barli said Rafi made all the designs and motifs while his role was to turn the design into reality.

“I only supported him with production, details, printing and creativity. I added little details, like small balls and plaits, but they are still in keeping with his original designs,” he said.

Barli, who has 10 years of experience in the fashion industry, and Rafi are not relatives.

Barli met with Rafi and his mother, Shinta Ayu Handayani, during the 2011 Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival in North Jakarta’s Kelapa Gading.

“My son thought the clothes in stores were just made right away while, in fact, they were made based on designs. That was why I tried to ask [mas] Barli, with all my courage, to let us visit his workshop. Thank God he allowed us to do so,” Shinta said.

The opportunity to visit a designer’s real workshop was a thrilling moment for Rafi, who asked numerous questions and was entranced with several details regarding the accessories in the workshop.

At first glance, Rafi is just the same as any other children of his age. He ran here and there, sharing a light moment with some friends, who attended the fashion show. The boy is special: He has been hearing impaired since he was born.

Shinta said she was diagnosed with Rubella infection when she was three months’ pregnant with the doctor predicting the baby would be blind, deaf and have heart problems.

The doctor told her it was not easy to take care of a child with special needs and offered an abortion since the fetus was still young.

“Our family decided we would accept the baby however he would be,” she said.

Rafi’s talent showed up early, when he often drew colorful fish with many motifs at the age of three.

Two years later, Shinta realized Rafi was interested in fashion design as he was often fascinated by designers’ works in magazines and started to draw numerous female outfits.

As he grew older, he also frequently asked if he could attend a number of fashion shows. Shinta took her son to fashion shows and tries to provide him with drawing facilities.

“Rafi fills his silent world with colors. The fashion world is colorful and he may feel alive there,” she said.

Barli is the right person with the right connections — the very qualities needed to make Rafi’s fashion show become a reality. He produced the seven outfits for the show, contacted the professional models and looked for a media partner, fashion location as well as hair and make-up partner, with only one month’s preparation.

“I was determined to make this show happen on the day of Rafi’s birthday,” Barli said.

He said Rafi reminded him of his friend, Ifa Fianti who, despite her hearing impairment, manages to work in an architectural company and has a family.

Rafi also reminded Barli of his own childhood because he also wanted to become a designer when he was a child.

Unlike Rafi, who has a supportive mother, Barli’s decision to become a designer was against his family’s wishes. His grandparents wanted him to become a businessman, a profession they considered as more manly.

“I hope parents can recognize their children’s talents and keep supporting them instead of blocking them.”