Attention to detail: Contestants show off their elaborate costumes based on a floral theme
Local disco music was blaring and crowds of people lined the roadside along Ijen Boulevard, 2 kilometers west of the town square of Malang, East Java, recently.
Ignoring the heat of the sun, residents were eager to watch a street fashion show, the Malang Flower Carnival V (MFC) 2015. The festival is an annual event featuring the designs of participants who create costumes out of recycled materials. The attraction is also meant to draw tourists to Malang.
The carnival was first organized in April 2010 to commemorate Malang's anniversary. This year it was held in August, coinciding with Independence Day. Under the theme of magnificent flowers, the show this year was aimed at manifesting all kinds of floral beauty.
The main rostrum for MFC 2015 was occupied by government officials, sponsors and foreign tourists. At exactly 1 p.m., dozens of dancers dressed in black and wearing masks performed Topeng Grebek Sebrang, a mask dance to mark the start of the carnival, followed by a modern dance titled Malang Gemilang (Radiant Malang), in collaboration with the winners of the MFC 2014.
'Participants were asked to present imposing sizes within the confines of the theme. So they were required to demonstrate the gorgeousness of flowers while keeping to the use of recycled cloth as their material,' said carnival executive chairman Agus Sunandar.
The MFC 2015 contest had two categories, children and adults. The first batch was the children's group, appearing in bee costumes and later in outfits dominated by red and white made from used plastic bags.
Contestants came not only from Malang but also other cities and towns across the province such as Banyuwangi, Jember, Kediri, Surabaya and Probolinggo.
'This is the first MFC I've joined as I've been prompted to try my creations and apply fashion design knowledge gained from my campus to this competition arena,' said Hilda, 18, a carnival contestant.
The Malang Flower Carnival V had 167 competitors, comprising 117 adults and 47 children. The jury named winners by judging them on spectacular appearance, creative design and their manner of walking, besides their appealing costumes, make-up and unique choreography.
Adult contestants walked gracefully before spectators on the one-kilometer long street catwalk. Excited onlookers were screaming, asking the models to stop and pose for a moment to take their pictures on their cell phones.
'This year's MFC is better than last year, with good weather and security officers so we can watch the parade unobstructed,' said Sumiati, 37, a resident.
' Photos by Aman Rochman
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