GALERIES LAFAYETTE JAKARTA AND INDONESIA FASHION FORWARD ARE WORKING TO BRING LOCAL DESIGNERS TO A NATIONAL-AND INTERNATIONAL-AUDIENCE

Galeries Lafayette Jakarta has been working with the design mavens at Indonesia Fashion Forward (IFF) to cultivate 14 young, talented designers with the potential to break into the international market as part of its third annual Fashion Lab.

The France-based department store, which has a local outpost at Pacific Place, takes the cultivation of talent and style seriously at Fashion Lab.

Uniquely, the lab presents the creations of emerging local designers alongside those of established fashion houses.

The program was launched internationally in Berlin in 2004 as Labo Mode, with the support of well-known international design powerhouses such as Sonia Rykiel, Yves-Saint-Laurent, Jean Paul-Gaultier and Sisi Wasabi.

After a series of successful runs, Galeries Lafayette turned the program into a spotlight for young, unknown creators to present their collections while giving them the aid and know-how to sell to a wider market.

As part of the program, Galeries Lafayette works with the French fashion school ESMOD to guide participating designers on how to craft their sales and marketing strategies.

“The successful fashion lab is held annually to provide direction to young designers in the Indonesian fashion industry and also as a Give Back program to support the development of Indonesian designers,” said Melissa Ann Tjahyadikarta, head marketing of Galeries Lafayette.

The talents and labels that Galeries Lafayette will be fostering as part of Fashion Lab’s third year comprise: Andhita Siswandi, Bateeq, Billi Tjong, Byo, Day and Night, D’leia, Ellyhan, I.K.Y.K., LOTUZ, MILCAH, Paulina Katarina, Rani Hatta, SOE and Tertia.

The designers who made the cut were, of course, ecstatic.

“I was very happy to finally be able to join the Fashion Lab program, designer Andhita Siswandi, who launched a second line dubbed “Andhita” earlier this year, said. “The IFF [Indonesian Fashion Forward] previously called me and offered me a chance to participate in last year’s program, but unfortunately I couldn’t. At that time, my collections focused on wedding and evening dresses only.”

The young designers of Fashion Lab are also representing Galeries Lafayette’s new brand identity, “The New Chic”, which embodies three concepts: Young, fresh and edgy.

With The Jakarta Post as one of the media partners, Fashion Lab will formally kick off with a trunk show on April 28 at 6 p.m. on the first floor of Galeries Lafayette, where the creations of the 14 curated designers will be presented. The show will be open to the public.

Here’s just some of things that fashionistas can expect.

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Fashion Lab 3rd Edition

April 25-May 31
Galeries Lafayette Jakarta
Pacific Place Mall, SCBD
galerieslafayette.co.id
@lafayettejkt

EMERGING TALENTS, INTRIGUING DESIGNS

Here’s what you need to know about the designers and brands selected for Galeries Lafayette’s Fashion Lab 2016.

Rani Hatta

Rani Hatta, born in 1990, started her career in fashion in 2013 with the launch of her eponymous brand. She’s known for her long skirts, pants, blouses, as well as jackets that evoke simplicity and convenience for matching with your wardrobe. While Rani previously operated exclusively online; recently, she opened two boutiques in Jakarta and regularly appears at various prestigious fashion shows, such as the 2014 Jakarta Fashion Week.

Andhita Siswandi

Andhita Siswandi’s eponymous brand, launched in 2016, offers a ready-to-wear collection focusing on embroidery and luxury fabrications. The designer, active in the local scene since graduating from LaSalle fashion college in 2007, got her start by designing evening wear and bridal couture. Andhita’s hard work, however, has paid off: She has received awards for her creativity from the British Council Indonesia, Mazda as well as Indonesia Fashion Forward.

Bateeq

Established in 2013, the brand takes as its mission constant innovation with the nation’s heritage fabric of batik, focusing on various experiments in color and devising unique motifs inspired by Indonesia’s rich traditions as well by as current fashion trends.

Byo

Designer Tommy Ambiyo Tedji, a graduate of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in West Java, says that his unusual and experimental creations draw inspiration from the worlds of fantasy and science fiction. Tommy’s pieces explore (and push against) the boundaries of materials, shapes and concepts-all while maintaining functionality for the finished products, which is to be expected, considering his degree in industrial engineering.

SNEAK PEEK

Andhita shared with JPlus her plans to showcase pieces from her recently launched second line for Fashion Lab’s runway show.

In contrast to her first line, which featured a host of stunning wedding and evening dresses; Andhita’s second line presents ready-to-wear cocktail dresses.

“The cocktail dresses have simple and feminine characteristics, with cuts that feature tailored and flared silhouettes. This will be the debut of the collection to the public,” according to Andhita.

Meanwhile, Day and Night creative director Yelly Lumentu said that she planned to showcase pieces from the premium women’s line Summer/Spring 2016 collection, albeit specifically tailored and curated to match the tastes of Galeries Lafayette’s patrons. Day and Night also was seen on the catwalk at the latest iteration of Jakarta Fashion Week.

“We’re experimenting with motifs commonly found in puzzle pieces,” Yelly said. “This collection features cuts that are more daring. We, however, are staying true to our black-and-white signature color scheme.”

Meanwhile, Eda Arthaputri, the creative director of MILCAH, said that the label’s collection for this year’s program was designed to reflect a special, cultural mission.

“We designed a collection utilizing traditional materials, in order to showcase a signature Indonesian character, to bring people closer again to Indonesian culture,” Eda said.

There are more benefits for Galeries Lafayette Fidelite card members: Those who make a minimum purchase of Rp 3 million will receive an on-the-spot voucher for Rp 100,000, while the top spender (with a minimum purchase of Rp 50 million) will have a chance to win a four-day/three-night stay at the Raffles Hotel Paris.

Day and Night

The label was established by Yelly Lumentu in 2012, a graduate of Jakarta’s Esmod University who has long been passionate about fashion and art. Among the items on Yelly’s impressive resume is racking up a first-place win at the fashion design held by Indonesia’s leading women’s magazine publisher, the Femina Group, in 2014.

I.K.Y.K.

The acronym for this label, established in 2011 by Anadia Marina Putri Harahap, stands for “I know you know”. I.K.Y.K. offers a ready-to-wear line suitable for day-to-day life, boasting modern pieces with a distinct aesthetic. Anadia, who has a background in visual communications design and professional experience in advertising, sculpts her acuity in fashion from there. She’s participated in various fashion shows, including the Jakarta Fashion Week and the Bazaar Fashion Festival, and was a finalist at the CLEO Fashion Awards.

Ellyhan

Ellyhan Jewelry, spearheaded by founder Lia Ellyhan, offers exquisite pieces created using pearls harvested from the waters off Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara. The works are intricately designed and handcrafted by Lia, who was born into a family of pearl artisans. Her debut collection at the Jakarta Fashion Week 2015, titled “The Lioness of Marunda”, was inspired by an old Batavian folk tale.

LOTUZ

LOTUZ, which has positioned itself as a high-end ready-to-wear brand, encapsulates the spirit of the contemporary woman, embracing notions of femininity and power and offering a collection that can be mixed or matched for a style that can goes from day to night. Under current creative director Kesya Moedjenan, LOTUZ is available in Jakarta, Los Angeles, Riyadh and Shanghai.

Paulina Katarina

Paulina Katarina launched her self-named label with her sister, Ratna Katarina, in Bali in 2012. The design duo, who have been crafting their own clothes since childhood, specialize in pieces with an eclectic, feminine feel, offering sexy edges and sophisticated undertones through an array of silhouettes.

Tertia

Tertia Enda graduated from Portland State University in the US, majoring in international marketing, and completed a course at the Susan Budihardjo School of Fashion Design upon her return to Jakarta. In 2014, Tertia launched her eponymous premium label. Each piece in the Tertia collection is designed for women who appreciate simplicity, clean-cut and elegant looks. The label’s designs showcase classic and timeless visuals.

Billy Tjong

Growing up in a family long steeped in the garment business, Billy Tjong quit a straight job in the world of banking in 2001 to pursue his passion for fashion. Fast forward to 2010, when Billy established his eponymous ready-to-wear label. He’s since gone on to have pieces showcased at the 2013 Hong Kong Fashion Week. Other nods include a win at the International Young Fashion Designers Awards in 2003, as well as taking home honors from the Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Awards in 2004 and 2005.

D’leia

The label, launched by Lea Maria in 2010, initially started by offering delightful clutch bags made from batik and tenun (woven cloth). Since then, D’leia has expanded into making tote bags, wallets, and other accessories for women. The brand targets fashion lovers who also appreciate the finest in local culture, heritage products and traditional lifestyles.

MILCAH

MILCAH was founded in November 2010 by sisters Faustine and Eda Arthaputri, who focus on women’s ready-to-wear clothes, accessories and shoes. The label loves exploring and expanding on basic shapes and cuts without reducing their essence. The achievements of the sisters include a win at the CLEO Fashion Awards as most innovative local brand and picking up In Style’s ready-to-wear award in 2012. The label also showed at Indonesia Fashion Forward 2013 and Jakarta Fashion Week 2015.

SOE

SOE Jakarta emphasizes the use of hand-woven textiles, in a nod to the classic, timeless style of Indonesia. Designer Monique Soeriaatmadja uses fabrics crafted by weavers from different parts of the archipelago who do their work on traditional looms, including the labor-intensive back-strap loom. Monique’s creations are inspired by traditional patterns and the contemporary arts, as well showing influences from the texture of sportswear.