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Embracing a devout life
(Courtesy of Wardah Cosmetics)On stage with her new look, singer Dewi Sandra Killick entertains her crowd energetically
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(Courtesy of Wardah Cosmetics) (Courtesy of Wardah Cosmetics)
(Courtesy of Wardah Cosmetics)
On stage with her new look, singer Dewi Sandra Killick entertains her crowd energetically.
It's been around five months since she decided to wear a cover-all outfit and a headscarf.
Deep down, the 33-year-old confessed that she's still a bit nervous performing like this but tried her best to combine the clothing, choreography and music.
'I used to be in miniskirts or backless dresses, so now, I'm really, really nervous. But, I hope I can still entertain you all,' Dewi said in between songs during a recent show with Wardah cosmetics, which has appointed her as its new brand ambassador.
Today Dewi, the wife of Agus Rahman, is embracing her new way of life. She was once the popular subject of gossip columnists who documented her divorces from her ex-husbands actor Surya Saputra and singer Glenn Fredly.
She seems to not mind expressing how she feels or casually interacting with her fans, including posing for pictures with them.
'I hope I will stay istiqamah [consistent in right direction],' says Dewi in her trendy white headscarf, ruffled blouse, pants and long black vest.
Without hesitation, the singer, who started her career as a teen model, shared her path to her life today.
'The main trigger was I wanted to fix myself. I was utterly aware I wasn't a perfect person. I've made lots of mistakes, been down several times and I failed in many ways. So, I thought I needed to look inward and learn more. Hence, the spiritual journey began,' she reveals.
Dewi said she had joined a Koran studies group in her local neighborhood in South Jakarta.
'To be honest, I started in a group for children. Kids at 2, 3 and 4 years old fluently answered the [religious] questions, while I knew nothing,' she said.
'I mean, even children have a dedicated place to learn religion. Where have I been? It was the trigger. I realized I had something missing, so I learned.'
She shared that she had become to feel uncomfortable showing her skin a year prior to her transformation.
'Not many people knew but I began to wear skin colored pants while I was wearing miniskirts or hot pants. I even told my management that showing off didn't suit me any longer,' Dewi said.
'One night during my night prayers, I opened the Koran and read a verse [about covering up] and bam! I was like, OK!' Brazil born daughter of Englishman John Killick and Betawi Prihartini says.
'I like wearing a hijab that is simple, without a pin,' fashion lover Dewi explained.
'Some nights while I have been busy styling my headscarf I have brought tears to my eyes because I skewered myself with the pins, but hope it's worthwhile,' says Dewi with a laugh, adding that she makes more of an effort for big events.
'I used to spend about 30 minutes getting ready. But now, maybe it is because I'm a newbie, I have to be more careful to not miss a layer.'
She spoke about the several basic parts ' such as the ninja (an inner layer shaped like a ninja veil but minus the face cover), ciput (an inner layer for a veil, shaped like a beanie or mini scarf) and manset (thin long-sleeved innerwear or compression sleeves) ' of on-trend covered fashion.
Getting a suitable style for her stage performance is an ongoing project for her.
'Performing on a stage is actually like going back to square one. I'm still looking for the right formula, the best one,' Dewi says.
Her week is filled with activities in up to three Islamic studies groups, besides regular work.
'Those groups are for kids, teens and mothers. I often attend study groups that invite a famous ustadz [teacher for Islamic studies] in Bumi Serpong Damai [in Tangerang, Banten].'
During Ramadhan, Dewi plans to seek a teacher of Koran and Islamic studies.
'I would prefer not to work during Ramadhan: To remind me that the main goal in life is actually about devotion to God,' she says.
'I'm grateful that my husband, friends and fans have supported my decision.'
