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/span>Music, architecture and fashion from the Baroque period in the 16th and 17th centuries have left a powerful impression that remains even today.

Many modern women may have left behind the characteristic heavy dresses but some styles from the period, from its colors and signature prints and gold stitching, continue to inspire designers to reinvent the Baroque style as their own.

Baroque style, featuring complicated details, decorative patterns and textured fabrics, has come back to dominate 2012 fall fashion trends.

Even renowned fashion houses — from Gucci, Ralph Lauren to Dolce and Gabbana — love to play with the grandeur of the historic fashion of royal families.  

Young Indonesian designer Angie Blaire recently showed off her Baroque collection during the opening of the House of Blaire, a fashion boutique that brings together cocktail and bridal dresses, shoes, accessories, bridal makeup and photography in one place.  

Baroque style was not heavy or weighty in the hands of Angie, who debuted as a fashion designer in 2009.

For the fashion show, named “Allegro”, she drew inspiration from little princesses in the 17th century to fit with the modern urban princess’s charm.

“The interpretation of the current Baroque trend is often dark, so I want to give a more cheerful tone. I want to tone down the image of an arrogant and lavish aristocrat to cheerful and sweet designs,” she said.

With a glass of sparkling wine from Singaraja in Bali and classical music in the air, the fashion show opened with a number of bright cocktail dresses grouped under the “Contrast Baroque” collection.

Solid colors — reds, yellows, greens and blues — dominated the collection, though some pieces were accentuated with black.

Angie married clean-cut designs with, among other fabrics, black velvet and gold jacquard, resulting in simple, yet elegant cocktail dresses in the “Vividly Baroque” collection.  

The shimmering and intricate patterns in the jacquard became the main star in the row of outfits, as shown in the combination of gold jacquard with yellow fabric in a knee-length strapless dress, which got a sexy accent with a zigzag corset.

A gold jacquard bustier with black mini ballerina dress was also standout in the collection.

A classic long black velvet dress with golden lace in the front and a black long sleeveless gown were the highlights of the evening dresses. The fashion show closed with “Momentum”, a collection of Western bridal gowns.   

All of the collections were supported by high heels designed by Nefrin Fadlan and shining accessories by Vilia Ciputra.

Angie, who adores Indonesian fashion designer Anne Avantie, said she wants to dress women up like elegant ladies, so she did not do too much cutting and focused on styling instead.

The graduate of the Bunka School of Fashion said she hopes House of Blaire could also become a place for other fellow designers to grow.  

 —  Photos by Indah Setiawati