Acclaimed designer Sebastian Gunawan refused to stay still during the pandemic and launched his latest collection, “The Fairies Ball,” through a virtual fashion show.

The designer’s last show was on Feb. 12 at Tugu Kunstkring Paleis Jakarta, titled ‘China Doll,’ a suitable title and theme for a collection that was launched nearing Chinese New Year last year. This time, the brand decided to pursue more versatile looks that would be fitting for a Christmas or new year’s private gala.

Collaborating with wife Cristina Panarese, also a designer, who studied at the Istituto Artistico Dell Abbigliamento Marangoni in Milan, Italy, Sebastian held the annual launch of the Sebastian Gunawan Signature collection at The Langham, Jakarta, on Nov. 10.

“‘The Fairies’ Ball’ will showcase the ravishing looks of what we imagined fairies would have dressed in for their ball,” said the designer through the Sebastian Gunawan official YouTube channel that hosted the show.

Elegance: Layers of ruffles created an elegant look without looking overly voluminuous (Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan) (Personal archive/Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan)

“The variety of colors starting from soft to bolder looks are cooperated with crystal beads and geometrical sequins, forming light and flowy impressions for the eyes.”

The virtual fashion show also aired on the same day on the designer’s official Instagram account, @sebastiangunawanofficial.

Couture at home

The show opened with a view of the hotel’s impressive curved staircase and its statement chandelier. Models strutted their way on the white marble floor in a white hallway against a backdrop of a framed photograph of a ferris wheel.

The show was produced by Biro Baur, a creative bureau based in Jakarta that has been established in the fashion and beauty industry for some time.

Styled by Willy Widjaya and Meidy Vinola, 13 models, including Drina Ciputra and Reti Ragil, showcased the 34 celestial pieces constructed from tulle, lace and light brocades to create dainty transparent layers.

Playful: The brand stays faithful to feminine looks whilst still trying to capture the playful personalities of fairies. (Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan) (Personal archive/Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan)

Some pieces featured tiered fringes and ruffles, looking like the cocktail dresses straight out of The Great Gatsby movie wardrobe, minus the bright choice of colors.

Effortless makeup featuring winged eyeliner as the highlight were brushed by makeup artists Sissy Sosro, Claudya Christiani and Meriklaa, framed by a sleek hairdo by hairdressers Aryhudi, Cosmelynn and Dita Wiradisastra.

“Fairy figures are often imagined as agile, young, moving freely, light and cheerful creatures magically infused, manifesting in beautiful clothes,” said the designer about the inspiration.

Seba, Sebastian’s nickname, chose the soft palettes to further elevate the dainty feel to the collection, from white, pale green, nude, salmon, to pale yellow, with a hint of black and blue to accentuate the pieces for the first segment of the show.

The looks were completed with a myriad of creative elements, from pearls and crystals to hand stitched feathers and sequins.

The final segment featured an entirely different range of colors, yet encapsulating the same sleek profiles.

Fairy fashion: Inspired by fairies, Sebastian Gunawan and Christina Panarese created a series of cocktail dresses and evening gowns. (Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan) (Personal archive/Courtesy of Sebastian Gunawan)

With black fabrics as the base and layers of sequins, round pieces of leather were sewn into geometric shapes. Layers of fringe and feathers were added onto sleeves, adding a dramatic touch. The models looked like a flock of dainty birds with capes and wide A-line dresses.

“The designs come in very varied silhouettes, ranging from straight, wide and piled, which are successfully depicted in short cocktail dresses, long dresses, to short overalls with long, dreamy robes to represent the agility of fairies,” concluded the designers in their press release.

Known for their elegant and feminine flair, the creative and productive hands of fashion designers Sebastian Gunawan and Cristina Panarese consistently offer “luxury, modernity, new exposition and an emotional sense,” – including in this Sebastian Gunawan Signature Collection for 2022.

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