Groundbreaking: Monica Ivena is the first Indonesian couture designer to show at Star Fashion Week

Indonesian designer Monica Ivena, with her eponymous label Monica Ivena Couture, showcases a mixture of feminine, chic and cheerful styles in her latest collection.

The new line premiered during Star Fashion Week at the Shanghai International Dance Center Experimental Theater in China on June 2.

Monica, who shared the stage with five other designers from around the world, was the first to open the show. Coincidentally, she was also the first Indonesian couture designer to participate in Star Fashion Week.

The collection is titled Starbie, a portmanteau of “star” of Star Fashion Week and Barbie, the iconic fashion doll from Mattel.

Monica, who graduated from the Raffles Design Institute in Singapore, describes the collection as “girlie”, adding that it reflects the famous Barbie doll but at the same time, also represents strength.

“I wanted to show something that is feminine yet strong but also feels current,” Monica said.

The 15-look collection used a combination of pink, gold and black to create a striking presentation, adorned with accessories by Rinaldy Yunardi and footwear by Thang Shoes.

A classic ball gown silhouette with a plunging neckline is embellished in a way that starts of distanced along the hemline before tapering at the waistline to emphasize the wearer’s figure.

Monica also provided a self-referential detail on a voluminous full-length skirt, with a combination of paneling and embroidery forming the Monica Ivena Couture logo.

Star power: Monica named her new collection Starbie after Star Fashion Week and the iconic Mattel doll Barbie.

A crop top in soft, almost nude pink is embellished with black embroidery in the shape of stars, complete with star-shaped charms that sway ever so slightly as the model walks by.

The top is paired with a floor-length asymmetrical high-low skirt in black tulle, creating a contrast between strictly couture and brunch-casual.

The same skirt is also cut in peach tulle, paired with a bold bustier in ruched nude chiffon with black edging shaping the garment.

The designer attributed part of her brand’s exposure to numerous fashion events, and her famous international clientele base to her joining the Clique, a Hong Kong-based public relations agency that represents Indonesian designers like Didi Budiarjo, Adrian Gan and Rinaldy Yunardi.

Monica’s illustrious clients include Korean actress Clara Lee, actress Chelsea Islan and pop crooner Rossa, who sat in the front row of the Shanghai runway show. (jlm)

— Photos courtesy of Tim Muara Bagdja