JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

Fashion designer Kanaya Tabitha has redefined workwear for women who are dare to be different.
When it comes to women’s workwear, the choices usually “only” revolve around tailored pants, blouses, shirts, skirts, jackets and blazers.

Through her latest line, “Fabulous”, local fashion designer Kanaya Tabitha has worked to incorporate various other styles in workwear, with sexy and glamorous touches to add color to women’s working lives.

The ready-to-wear collection is dedicated to high-end professional working women in big cities aged 24 and up.

The inspiration for “Fabulous” came when Kanaya saw the phenomenon of working women in big cities such as New York and Rio de Janeiro.

“I learned that for after office hours they need something to have fun in,” she said.

“But in reality, many cosmopolitan working women are too busy with their jobs so they do not have enough time to think about workwear that suits every occasion.”

The new line is hoped to be an alternative for working women in town to look more up-to-date and fashionable than ever before.

So, in short, this range is intended to be worn at work, but is fashionable enough to party when it’s time to enjoy getting off duty after a long busy day.
Kanaya, who started her career in September 1998 and went on to open her very own boutique (House

of Kanaya Tabitha) is known for designing elegant, modern and sophisticated outfits to reveal women’s beauty and femininity.

For her latest clothing line, she had her own way to introduce it to fashionistas in Jakarta. Kanaya invited her fellow celebrities, instead of using professional models, to showcase her latest creations during a fashion show themed “Hard Work, Play Smart”.

“Why I chose to use the celebrities? Because they don’t have the stature of supermodels. This fact actually represents the body of all women,” she said.

Actresses Titi Sjuman and Feby Febiola, as well as local singers Maia Estianty, Mey Chan, Denada and Fla Priscilla were some of celebrities on stage that evening.

Kanaya offers mini dresses, jackets, Capri pants and jumpsuits, using fabrics including wool, satin and lace. It seems this designer was in the mood in lace, as there are a number of lacy touches in her collection.

Take the short-sleeved blazer with floral accent and black lace, matched with capri pants.

Kanaya also combines black lace with a knee-length fitted dress, while a black satin mini dress was paired with white lace. Another item is a black striped jumpsuit with white lace. Some printed dresses — either with wide sleeves or sleeveless — matched with black stockings, were also displayed during the show.

For accessories, Kanaya tries to bring back the studded slim belt, worn casually around the waist. For instance, she puts these belts around a simple yellow bustier jumpsuit, a shocking pink mini dress and ruffled white dress, to lighten up the look.

In some ways, this collection might raise a few eyebrows, with several of its skimpy shocking colored dresses.

Some of this daring collection includes a sexy blue printed low back mini dress, a very low-neck blue jumpsuit and one-shoulder style purple top with shocking pink pants.

How come workwear is looking so sexy and revealing almost all your skin? Isn’t it too much to wear this kind of thing at the office? Isn’t it more suitable to wear this at a cocktail party, for instance?
“All you have to do is to mix and match. Put a jacket or blazer on it,” said Kanaya.

Well, Kanaya really needs to define more specifically which working women this collection is for. Is it for everybody?

It might be fine for women who work in the creative industries who aim to look different, sexy and stylish, because they don’t have strict rules at the office. But, whatever it is, we should appreciate Kanaya’s efforts to provide more alternatives for stylish working women in town.

So, do you really think it’s OK to dress in the clothes while busy doing your job at the office? You decide...

— Photos By JP/R. BERTO WEDHATAMA

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