Kebaya, My Wedding Dress

 You can read about the history and the origin of kebaya here

But for me,the easily recognizable features of today’s kebaya – a tight fitting blouse that enhances the torso of the woman; the fold-back collarless neck and front opening; long sleeves; and the type of semi-transparent fabric – are evident in the kebaya of the past century. Traditional kebaya required the torso of the women to be wrapped with a long piece of cloth called a stagen. Women of higher social status would have help in wrapping their torso with the stagen however women who were not so fortunate to have help could dress themselves by tying the end of the stagen to a post and literally wrapping themselves into it. 

The semi-transparent kebaya blouse was then worn overtop of the stagen.  This blouse was fastened with a brooch rather than buttons and buttonholes. It was customary to combine the kebaya with kain – a length of unstitched cloth worn on the lower part of the body, often (and incorrectly) referred to in the English language as sarong. This kain was wrapped around the body with the pleats being placed at the front of the body. Traditinally this kain was dipped in a cornstach solution and then carefully folded by hand into pleats and pressed to produced the crisp look that was desired. 

Nowadays, kebaya became national dress for Indonesian womens. And kebaya is so popular for wedding, and for me, i like wearing kebaya, it give me full sense of femininity of women.

If we try to define what a kebaya is, it may prove to be difficult as it is constantly changing to reflect the changing times and fashions that Indonesia is experiencing. Nonetheless, it is possible to make some generalizations about the kebaya. Most Kebaya are made from a lace brocade. Most kebaya fabric uses a floral motif either printed or woven into the textile and its length can fall somewhere from above the waist to below the knee. It usually, but not always, has long sleeves. It is usually fastened at the front, and if not, then gives a semblance of doing so. Some variations of the kebaya will use a batik sash, which is coordinated with the kain, draped over the shoulder as an added accessory.

Although women in the market can be seen wearing kebaya, we can also see exquisite variations of them in government gatherings and parties and high society social functions. The beauty of this national dress is undeniable. Some of the most influential women in Indonesia are married in kebaya that can be described as “works of art” with their hand embroidered detailing and beading. Designers such as Ami Amianto have helped to promote the kebaya not only as a important part of Indonesian clothing history but as a very beautiful item of clothing that Indonesian women are proud to wear.

So the next time you see a women wearing a kebaya you will understand that she is not just wearing a functional piece of clothing but she is also wearing a symbol of Indoneia’s cultural history which represents national symbolism and high fashion too!

♥ MY KEBAYA WEDDING ♥

This week, i have plan to visit some popular kebaya designer and taylor in my town to made my kebaya wedding, offcourse i do some research and browse some model of kebaya wedding that suitable for me and my size L body. hahahahaaa....

yeaah, my size L body needs a certain models of kebaya wedding that will make me look slimmer, because not all of models can be wearing by a big womens. But once big womens wear a kebaya, she will look gorgeous !!!

And here's some model that i like so much, and i will bring this pic to the kebaya designer and they automatically will knew what the best model for me and my body. 

 So, let me visit my kebaya designer first, and i will show you my wedding kebaya model and the kain/fabric. 

bye

x o x o

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Biyan Collection 2010 / 2011 Reflection on Tradition and Heritage

Maria Agnes

There’s no other word to describe Biyan’s Annual Show held last Wednesday, 28 July 2010 other than spectacular! The show opened with traditional music playing softly accompanying the dancers that came out from the back of the ruined temple, sashaying ever so elegantly. The models suddenly came out from the backstage with their mouth-gaping outfits. 

Celebrating his 27th years in fashion, Biyan wanted to show a collection with a touch of melancholy and sentimental feeling. The title of the collection is ‘As Time Goes By’ – a celebration of heritage and traditions. The collection is inspired by royal and cultural traditional costume because they immediately portray the uniqueness, characteristic as well as the strength of that culture. Biyan said, he wants to give something that although gives the impression that it’s amazingly old, but surprisingly have a modern feel to it.

His signature style could be immediately seen through the earthy and soft tone, feminine looking and flowy style and lots of beading, sequins and crystallized Swarovsky adorning his collection. You see a lot of unstructured pieces, yet still maintaining it’s femininity. Biyan also showed us another dimension to this season style through his eyes. Accentuated shoulders and epaulette constructed by beads. Military green undergone sleek surgery through the selection of material that is flowy mixed with heavy beading. Outerwear that looked so grand that you wish that you can go everywhere overdressed.

There was this one jacket that I really fall in love with, apparently it was inspired by the structure of javanese traditional costume known as beskap. Biyan translated the javanese beskap into a modern jacket through the choice of textile, ornament adorning the material and patchwork lame jacquard made from different material and thickness thrown into the same piece. And there’s nothing old at all from the evening dresses he made with ikat and songket. All the models walked the runway with the same mary-jane wedge made from different material though barely different detailing. I must give Maria Agnes two thumbs up, she walked nonchalantly down the runway with the extra high heels while you can still see other models look a little bit worried.

There’s one quote from Biyan that I like to share with you all here, that ‘no matter how rich the ornaments are, how difficult and complex the silhouette can be, the reference needed (to wear his design) still comes back to his creativity’. With that said, never forget to be creative and shows your individuality when you’re picking up your outfit for the day. 

Biyan Collection 2010 / 2011 Reflection on Tradition and Heritage

Now that we have shown you the wonderful world of Biyan’s collection, coming up is the report from the fashion show of this season collection of XSML.

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Indonesian batik fabric that combines a variety of unique hues and beautiful

since there was copyright batik has been patented by other countries, the community again turned to batik.

Well, original works of Indonesian clothing was now a luxury boom in shopping malls, such as in Mal Kelapa Gading Mal Artha Gading Mall of Indonesia, and La Piazza. Batik is a unique collection of lovely not just for wedding dress or nightgown women. As a result, patterns and motifs offered a wide range. Most are selling batik printing more affordable than batik, batik although this type are also interested.  

Batik is attacked in a mall designed for young children who like to travel or chat with colleagues, removing tired. Arini, private bank employee, said the batiks are used not only for work. He often used it at the picnic. “The material was combined with the cool and willing to subordinate everything fits,” said the citizen’s housing Kelapa Gading. 

About four months ago, when it started to love batik Arini, he was forced to hunt in Mangga Dua. “Now here is the complete collection and funny,” he said. Jogja Self Moreover, a group of crafters specialty items Yogya, organizing exhibitions from mall to mall to 16 November. Through the exhibition, titled “De Jogja Craft Expo” is about to introduce their crafts during this year in Jakarta. Prior to the Artha Gading Mall, a two-week exhibition held at Mal Kelapa Gading.

The experience of both, not all customers are chasing a unique contemporary batik and funny. “There is also a deliberately lo for a long batik motifs, why let memorable classic and expensive,” said Santi. For this matter, the buyer usually has to understand the correct hue, value, and regional origin of Batik is produced. “They would not want batik products offered colossal,” he said.

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The Ultimate Fashion Week in Indonesia

Jakarta Fashion Week attended the opening ceremony to inaugurate the event. Located at The Pacific Place Mall Jakarta, aims to deliver Indonesia’s trend directives for 2010. Each runway show sounded its voice, exhibiting Indonesia’s readiness for global exposure.

As Indonesia’s biggest fashion event, JFW 09/10 aims to champion Jakarta as one of Asia’s major fashion hubs. With the support of local and international media, JFW 09/10 hopes to raise the bar for Indonesia’s designers to compete in the international market. The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Mr. Fauzi Bowo is thrilled about this, “The event plays a significant role in creating a stimulus within the fashion, textile and garment industry. It also encourages the development of a creative economy, which consequently will solidify Jakarta as a fashion capital.” This year, JFW hosts no less than 60 APPMI, IPMI and independent designers. Renowned designers such as Carmanita, Ghea Panggabean, Poppy Dharsono, Stephanus Hamy, Taruna Kusmayadi, Anne Avantie, Oscar Lawalata, Deden Siswanto, Barli, and Oka Diputra amazed and entertained fashion enthusiasts with their breathtaking collections.

“We hope that this event will attract more buyers and clients than ever before. Unlike last year, this year APPMI will deliver a 2-day show, highlighting our fashion tendance, APPMI trends,” says Taruna Kusmayadi, Head of the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI).

Aside from highlighting the talents of Indonesia’s local designers, JFW 09/10 is also proud to present a very special collaboration between Indonesia and India. This cultural collaboration merges two equally magnificent events, Festival of India and Jakarta Fashion Week 09/10. Two of Indonesia’s most acclaimed designers, Sebastian Gunawan and Priyo Oktaviano will join two of India’s most distinguished designers Tarun Tahiliani and Malini Ramani in showcasing their interpretation of each other’s cultural wealth at the Gala Dinner Charity Night hosted by Dewi Magazine.

BRI expresses its enthusiasm towards the effort to explore the limitless potential of Indonesia’s fashion industry “As a state-owned company and the second largest bank in Indonesia, BRI pays close attention to the preservation of Indonesian culture. We are proud to be able to participate in JFW 09/10. We hope that this event will succeed in preserving our national culture and play a significant role in creating international awareness of the range and competence of Indonesia’s fashion designers. Hopefully, in spite of the influx of foreign cultural imports, BRI will continue to serve as one of the guardians of Indonesia’s authentic culture,” explains Tony Soetirto, Managing Director of PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.

Festival Mode Indonesia – Jakarta Fashion Week (FMI – JFW) 2008 managed to secure coverage through Fashion TV, which inadvertently puts it in the same caliber as its Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York counterparts. News of FMI – JFW 2008 were also picked up by 203 other medias all across the globe, including Europ? and Australia.

 Indonesia’s strength in order to collectively improve the country’s fashion industry. With that purpose in mind, we are partnering with the municipality of DKI Jakarta, Ministry of Trade, the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI), the Indonesian Fashion Designer Council (IPMI), respected sponsors as well as other media organizations besides Femina Group. We are very much aware of the breadth of our cultural wealth and inherent creative potential. 

These strengths-manifested in our range of traditional textiles, the energy and dynamism of our local designers as well as the determination of our entrepreneurs – are crucial elements that must be harvested in order for us to achieve this goal. Jakarta’s emergence as a fashion powerhouse at a regional level will be our collective success.

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Sherina Munaf, The First Maybelline New York Icon from Indonesia

Sherina Munaf, The First Maybelline New York Icon from Indonesia

Mitzy Cassandra, Marketing Manager Maybelline New York said that Sherina Munaf’s combination of true Indonesian beauty and modern and independent personality is in line with the international cosmetic brand’s image. According to Mitzy, Sherina personifies a true Maybelline girl who is active, spirited and looks good all day long.

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