Jakarta. The Belle Époque, which dates from the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 to the start of the Great War in 1914, ushered in an era of transformative art and culture throughout Western society, but perhaps most pointedly in France.

Indonesian fashion designer Yenty Tan said this period influenced her fall/winter 2017 fashion collection, which takes the same name as the celebrated epoch. She presented her collection at the Westin Hotel in Jakarta on Saturday (23/09).

"I've always loved the dresses made in that era," the designer said. "For me, they are so romantic, feminine and glamorous. I feel challenged to interpret that style into today's bridal and cocktail dresses."

In the fashion show, Yenty showcased 12 cocktail dresses and 12 bridal gowns inspired by the golden era.

Yenty's dresses are a feast for the eyes. They are made of delicate materials, such as satin duchess, lace and tulle and adorned with intricate embroideries, pearls and crystal appliqués.

"Almost all of the embellishments are done by hand," Yenty said.

Elaborate pleating techniques are also used to create interesting silhouettes on her gowns.

"My team and I worked day and night for four months to create this collection," the designer said.

Inspired by the golden era, most of Yenty's dresses have Victorian collars, made of layers of lace or tulle.

Sheer illusion panels on the dresses highlighted the feminine charms of the models, without revealing too much.

Yenty Tan

The designer is not new to Indonesia's fashion world. Her collections have been featured in Jakarta Fashion Week 2014 and 2015, as well as a number of bridal exhibitions in the capital city.

Some of her designs have also won the Prix d'Incitation at the prestigious Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode event in Paris in 1998, 2001 and 2003.

Yenty studied fashion at the Art and Design Academy (Asride) Iswi in East Jakarta between 1997 and 2000.

After graduating from the academy, the designer worked at her family's bridal house, Tracy Bridal, in West Jakarta and fell in love with the industry.

"Indonesia's wedding industry, especially Jakarta's, is wow, I'm not sure how to define it, but it's quite incomparable with that of other countries," Yenty said. "People here are truly willing to spend more to have a really memorable wedding day."

To hone her skills in making bridal gowns, Yenty took a short course at the London College of Fashion in London in 2010.

She started her own label, "Yenty Tan," in Jakarta in 2011.

"My dream is to present my solo fashion show in Jakarta in the next one or two years," she said.