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Aqua, Rinaldy Yunardi team up for latest limited edition bottles
Accessories designer Rinaldy Yunardi put his story and origins into his designs for the Aqua Reflections bottles.
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Indonesian accessories designer Rinaldy Yunardi poses during a media preview of the latest bottles of Aqua Reflections on Nov. 28 in West Java. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
Tiaras hold special meaning for 48-year-old accessories designer Rinaldy Yunardi.
While helping out his siblings in the electronics business when he was only a teenager, not yet finding his true calling, tiaras were the first accessories he learned to make, using plastic acrylics he found in the electronics factory as materials.
“My life has become meaningful thanks to tiaras; they make me feel alive,” said Rinaldy during the Aqua Reflections preview event on Nov. 28 in West Java. “I had nothing before, but God has granted me this talent.”
Rinaldy began his journey designing wedding tiaras in 1996, without a formal institutional background in fashion or relatives in the industry.
Fast forward to more than two decades later, his unique tiaras and headpieces have been worn by famous Indonesians and international celebrities, namely Cinta Laura Kiehl, Syahrini, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kendall Jenner and Beyonce, among others.
Drinking water brand Aqua also recognized his talent by collaborating with him to design the latest limited edition bottles of its premium line, Aqua Reflections.
Themed "Crowning Glory of Nature", each of the 380 and 750 milliliter bottles is wrapped in crown-shaped Art Nouveau-influenced decorations. The crown is said to stand for Rinaldy’s origins in craftsmanship.
Read also: Rinaldy A. Yunardi: From humble beginnings to Hollywood's top accessories designer
“The tiara represents me and my art, since I started out designing tiaras. I envision Reflections as a reflection of myself and I want these two elements – the finest mineral water that is imperative to life and the tiara – to marry together,” Rinaldy said in a statement.
The bottles are available in different colors depending on their variants: green for sparkling water and red for still water.
Rinaldy said the colors are inspired by nature – green from greenery and red from flowers. “When we mix red and green, they’ll turn into brown – it’s [like the color of] soil,” he said.
Designing for a bottle wasn’t an easy process for the creator, but he loves challenges and explorations.
“It’s about water and it’s precious, so we have to think further about how to convey it,” he said. “Giving meaning [to the design] is the most difficult. […] Everyone can create, but giving the meaning, the philosophy isn’t easy.”
Aqua senior brand manager Flora Tobing praised Rinaldy as an inspiring designer who always gives the best in his works. “He’s also unpredictable. We see him as a person who has the same vision as we do," she added.
The limited edition bottles will be available for order starting Dec. 7 for restaurants and hotels and for purchase starting Dec. 14 by the public.
During the launch to be held in Jakarta on Dec. 14, Flora said that proceeds from the bottles sold would be given to the Aspirasi Muslimah Indonesia institution in Depok, West Java. “[It’s] for the provision of clean water and sanitation purposes surrounding our [water] sources."
The event is to also feature a week-long exhibition on the story of Reflections and the brand's collaboration with Rinaldy.
The brand previously collaborated with designers Tex Saverio and Sebastian Gunawan and artist Eko Nugroho to design its Aqua Reflections bottles. (kes)
