TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Didi Budiardjo's fashion fantasy
Fashion fantasy: The Curiosity Cabinet show celebrates designer Didi Budiardjoâs 25-year fashion journey
Change Size
Fashion fantasy: The Curiosity Cabinet show celebrates designer Didi Budiardjo's 25-year fashion journey.
When fantasy and creativity collide in the hands of renowned designer Didi Budiardjo, the result is a stunning high-fashion collection.
The couture collection, showcased in the Curiosity Cabinet show, was the celebration of the designer's 25-year fashion journey, presenting a total of 56 dresses inspired by his memories and fantasies of the industry.
'I've been in the fashion industry for 25 years and I have so many memories, tangible and intangible souvenirs that I'd like to share with others through this Curiosity Cabinet,' Didi said before the show.
The 44-year-old designer started his career in the industry in 1989 when he studied at Susan Budihardjo fashion school. Upon graduating, he traveled to Paris to continue his studies at the Atelier Fleuri Delaporte.
When he returned home, he set up a ready-to-wear line, introducing modern and elegant night and bridal gowns. In 1997, he expanded the business by establishing his line of traditional Indonesian kebaya.
Back to the show, the collection in the Curiosity Cabinet was drawn from three big ideas. The first was 'dragon's empire', exploring the Eastern styles of China, Japan, India and Indonesia.
The second was 'mermaid treasure', themed around the sea and its mythology, while the third theme was 'bucolic garden', featuring elements from the garden such as insects and flowers.
However, these ideas were not presented into three different sequences on the runway; Didi instead combined them all into his designs and presented the outfits all together.
'Every idea was materialized from the biggest to the smallest forms. Everything is about things that I remember, and I also want this show to be a night to remember for those who watch it,' he said.
It was indeed a night to remember, infused with some surprises.
Before entering the ballroom of Mulia Hotel in South Jakarta, guests first passed through a room with many drawers and heard a recording of French poet Jacques Prévert reading his collection Cet amour.
In the ballroom, they didn't see the usual runway, but a white catwalk with a raindrop installation and two white winged horses.
The lights started to dim and all eyes were fixed on the back of the runway, waiting for the show's first face to appear.
But Didi tricked everyone in the hall when model Paula Verhoeven and others climbed onto the runway from the front.
They showcased three white wedding gowns made of organza, Chantilly and laces with silk flowers detailing the gown.
More white clothes appeared in various looks; a coat with layering silk flowers detailing the neck down, slim-fit dresses with colorful flower and bird motifs and dresses with real seashells and white coral embellishments.
From pure white, Didi then turned the night a little darker by presenting predominantly black designs full of oriental nuance.
Slim-fit dresses and tops with cheongsam-style Chinese neckline, brown dresses that featured a dragon motif and a Chinese-inspired dress paired with Sumatran songket woven cloth were showcased.
'There are three designs that use songket from West Sumatra. The songket quality is so fine that I wanted to use it in this collection,' said Didi.
A black wing dress and a sheath dress with a feather fringe, both featuring a white motif decorating the front, would make any woman look slim and charming.
Didi put in a little surprise when bright seashells embroidery bodice with a leather fringe jacket appeared alongside long dresses.
Another element of surprise was when six models in glamorous gold, white and black tea-length gowns with pockets walked down the runway in harmony.
In the final part of the show, Didi changed the whole tone of the gowns from colorful to white in various silhouettes.
The use of headpieces, mostly in the shape of insects that looked as if they were flying around the models who embodied flowers, the confetti effects and the music have all spruced up the fantasy story of Didi's fashion world.
' Photos by JP/Don
