For designer Ivan Gunawan’s latest collection, Layang-Layang (Kite), the dresses and the shirts are blue skies in which kites dance vigorously.

For the centerpiece of a black dress, Ivan created a patchwork of the cloudy Mega Mendung batik pattern in the shape of a kite with a long tail.

The Layang-Layang collection embodies the spirit of Ivan’s Jajaka ready-to-wear line that aims to introduce batik in a more youthful and casual way.

The collection takes a relaxed approach toward batik. In some pieces, Ivan only employs batik as an accent on shirt collars and pockets.

His creative batik patterns were truly showcased in a long blue dress featuring a picturesque scene in which children fly kites through cloudy Mega Mendung patterned skies.  

 “The culture of kite flying has slowly begun to fade away. I rarely see children flying kites these days,” Ivan said.

Ivan revives the cheerful memories of kite flying with his playful design and choice of motifs. The collection includes dresses, shirts, palazzo pants, loose blouses and 7/8 jumpsuit, mostly embellished with batik patchwork, stripes and zig-zag patterns. Ivan uses cotton garments, lace and creased stretch tulle for the collection.   

The fashion show for the collection was held as part of the 13th Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival, a month-long event that runs until May 22.

While showing his cheerful side, Ivan also shares a philosophy of kite through the collection. The flying kite symbolizes an existence between two worlds, Langit (The Sky) and Bumi (The Earth).

Half of Layang - Layang collection represents The Sky, which presents blue, white and black colors and Mega Mendung pattern. The other half is about The Earth, represented by earth tone, nude and yellow and a flowery batik pattern designed by Ivan.  

“It is the first time for me to print my own fabric for Jajaka. I chose colorful and light motifs — and not batik pattern with a heavy philosophical content because I want the pieces to be suitable for every occasions, from daily activities to cocktail.”

At the fashion show, the youthful spirit of the collection was amped up with white oxford shoes by Bandung-based shoe designer, Aad Kuniadi and accessories by Novi Susanto under the label of The Theme.

Novi’s red kite-shaped acrylic necklace and the Mega Mendung cloud and flying crane accessories strengthen Ivan’s imagination of a lively sky in Layang-Layang collection.    

Kite inspired: Model Kelly Tandiono showcases a new creation from designer Ivan Gunawan at the Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival.

Interestingly, Ivan hired “ordinary people” that he found on social media to rule the runway alongside experienced models like Kelly Tandiono and Dominique Diyose. Ivan wants to prove that the pieces look good on people with different body types.

Since founded a year ago, Jajaka has reached major department stores, such as Debenhams in Senayan City; and Metro in Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah. Half of its total sales comes from its online store, thanks to Ivan’s strong social media presence (with 7.5 million Instagram followers) and his marketing strategy.

Its online catalogue features non-professional models and celebrity friends, including dangdut singer Ayu Tingting.

“When I posted the photos of Ayu [wearing a Jajaka’s piece], I could sell one or two dozens of the piece in a day. That’s quite good.”

Aside from hand-drawn batik, Ivan uses stamped batik and batik prints to reach a wider market. The Layang - Layang collection, for instance, priced between Rp 600,000 (US$45) to Rp 1.5 million.

There is also a downside on Jajaka’s strong online presence. Ivan has discovered some online stores have come up with copies of his works in the matter of days.

“If today I post the new collection, by Friday other stores will sell the similar things,” he sighed. “Therefore, I always make sure that I have enough stock to sell before posting the new products on social media.”

Photos courtesy of Tim Muara Bagdja