Under the flag of his ready-to-wear line Balijava, renowned designer Denny Wirawan presents an enchanting rain forest in his Spring/Summer 2016 collection, A Love Summer Dream.

Denny has combined leaf patterns and embroidery with floral batik from Kudus in Central Java. The collection also offers an edgy kaftan to wear in the upcoming Ramadhan month.

The trunk show of Denny’s A Love Summer Dream on May 25 at Hotel Dharmawangsa in South Jakarta looked more like a well-planned fashion show. Unlike many trunk shows that take place on a simple runway or in a store corridor, the 48 pieces from the A Love Summer Dream collection were presented in a large white tent inside the hotel complex with a nicely illuminated lush rain forest garden as the runway’s background.

The audience, mostly Jakarta socialites, were presented with a line of male and female models donning loose, layering pieces in summer colors of orange and olive green, and also more calming colors of beige, khaki and dark blue.

Denny conjured up the loose-fitting dresses, capes and jumpsuits using leaf-patterned fabric and the floral batik of Kudus, featuring seruni (chrysanthemums), lotus and soga (copperpods).

“The collection is inspired by the beauty of Indonesia’s rain forest,” said Denny, who has spent two decades in the fashion industry.

Many of the pieces displayed the serene side of the rain forest — tops and pants in soft, dark shades with simple cutting and embellishments. Some other pieces were more ornate and edgy. One was a kimono in white and orange hues tied with a big orange bow.

Some tops were a combination of floral batik and silky beige fabric embellished with large leaf embroidery. Denny used the same combinations to create men’s vests.

A striped blue jumpsuit worn by a female model was made more sophisticated with a cape made from Kudus’ lung-lungan Garuda motifs — with intricate batik drawings of the bird-like Garuda creature.

Aside from the traditional lung-lungan Garuda pattern, Denny also made use of the geometric wajik (diamond) batik pattern that brought edginess to the collection. He cleverly stitched the stamped geometric batik with embroidered beige silk to make a stunning drape top.

As the holy Ramadhan month is approaching, Denny dedicated the last part of the show to introducing his collection of luxurious kaftans. One particular kaftan offered a refreshing concept: a jumpsuit kaftan.

“The jumpsuit kaftan was created especially for those who want to look edgy,” Denny added.

Meanwhile for men, the collection offers conventional choices — a long-sleeved collarless shirt with neckline embroidery — and the more stylish options — like a long-sleeved black shirt paired with a khaki drape jacket with heavy embroidering.

For the trunk show, Denny collaborated with shoe designer Marista Santividya and Tulola Jewelry, founded by designer Dewa Sri Luce Rusna, as well as actress Happy Salma.

A Love Summer Dream is Denny’s latest experimentation with batik from Kudus after starting in that direction in September last year. Previously, he merged batik from Kudus into his Padma collection, which was showcased at New York Fashion Week last February.

The trunk show was supported by Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation — the corporate social responsibility foundation of cigarette producer PT Djarum, which was founded in Kudus.

“With his creativity, Denny Wirawan gives the batik of Kudus a more diverse look that can be worn on any occasion,” Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation program director Renitasari Adrian, said.

“This event is part of our concerted commitment to introducing the beauty of Kudus’ batik and to reviving the industry there.”

— Photos courtesy of Image Dynamics PR

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