Pure: NOW is the result of a collaboration between POPULO Batik and photographer-artist Davy Linggar.

Photography, fine art and now fashion design. Davy Linggar recently joined forces with POPULO Batik to create an environmentally friendly fashion collection, NOW.

The collection, which marks POPULO’s 25th anniversary, consists of monochromatic pieces divided into two categories: White on White and Black on Black. Davy created eight pieces of the latter category, drawing inspiration from one of his photography collections titled Water Series. Davy said water captures the fluidity of the collection’s unisex design approach.

Behind its simple designs and tones, NOW carries a strong message on diversity. POPULO founder Joseph Lim conveys his concern that people tended to choose a side. He believes that now is the time for the people to break down barriers and embrace diversity.

“When you look more closely at the garments, you will see that there’s not only black and not only white, there are shapes of different colors and motifs inside, which you might only see at second glance,” says Joseph, who also serves as the brand’s creative director.

“The collection is about letting borders vanish, breaking down boundaries and being more diverse.”

POPULO and Davy strived to make the collection sustainable. They used resin-based paint to draw pattens on organic lyocell and lyocell-cotton fabrics and dyed them in pH-neutral water.

Creative drive: Davy Linggar (second right) explains his creative process in designing the NOW fashion collection. (JP/Audrie Safira Maulana)

NOW will go on sale on commerce platform Zilingo starting in October.

Prior to their collaboration in NOW, Davy took part in POPULO’s 20th anniversary collection as a cinematographer.

Davy perceives his foray into fashion design as an exciting creative avenue.  

“Whenever there are opportunities, I’ve always use them to create paintings and, sometimes, installations, so I tend to try all media. As for designing clothes, there seem to be no difference, as it is just another form [of art], and I take it as a challenge,” he said at the collection’s launch event in Jakarta last week.

Davy did face some obstacles in creating the pieces, as he initially had trouble translating his ideas into the desired designs. He also needed to ensure that he and the POPULO design team shared the same vision.

“Working on paintings is more individual work; you do everything by yourself. In fashion, we need to do it in a team,” explained Davy, who started his professional photographer career in 2000.

Nevertheless, Davy is content with the whole process and has expressed interest in taking part in more fashion design projects in the future.  

“It feels good when you buy nice clothes, but when you have a chance to design them, the clothes can look even more appealing.”

Elemental: The NOW collection features monochromatic pieces embellished with subtle patterns.

— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.

— Photos courtesy of Zilingo