Fashion Lab Presents Collections of Eight Young Indonesian Designers
Jakarta. Galeries Lafayette opened its fifth Fashion Lab at the Pacific Place mall in Jakarta on March 8.
"Fashion Lab, or also known as Labo Mode, is a signature program of Galeries Lafayette Paris, which promotes young fashion talent and showcases their latest collections among [the industry's] big names," Galeries Lafayette Jakarta marketing head Melissa Ann Tjahjadikarta said during a press conference.
For the annual program, which runs at Galeries Lafayette shops in Paris, Berlin and Jakarta, young fashion designers are selected to present their collections on special displays arranged at the stores.
In Jakarta, the French department store has been collaborating with Indonesia Fashion Forward (IFF) since 2014.
IFF is an annual incubation program for young designers organized by Jakarta Fashion Week, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) and the British Council.
"Fashion Lab is a valuable platform for IFF designers to introduce their labels and show their collections to the public," Jakarta Fashion Week director Lenni Tedja said.
Galeries Lafayette Jakarta has so far presented the collections of 38 young Indonesian designers. Twelve of them are now permanent tenants at the French department store.
For this year's edition, Galeries Lafayette Jakarta selected seven ready-to-wear labels and one jewelry brand.
"We choose the ones with the most fashionable, chic and unique products. Then, we help them determine the sizes, prices, quantity and so on," Melissa said.
The labels are: Alex[a]lexa, Atsthelabel, Batik Chic, Day and Night, Ellyhan Jewelry, Jii, Kami and Milcah.
In a trunk show on March 8, Alex[a]lexa presented a grunge-style women's collection.
"We were inspired by the 1990's street style while designing this collection," said Sendy Soeriaatmadja, co-founder and co-designer of Alex[a]lexa.
The collection consists of simple everyday items in black and white, embellished with tulle and deconstructed denim cutouts.
Milcah presented easy-to-wear women's pieces dominated by shades black, gray and white, all offering relaxed elegance.
"I was inspired by cats while designing this collection," said Eda Arthaputri, co-founder and co-designer of Milcah.
"Cats are so easygoing, yet graceful."
Jii presented its spring/summer 2018 collection themed "Honeybee," which consists of dainty sack dresses in soft pastel hues. Discreet prints of honey bees adorn the dresses.
Modest wear label Kami also showed its spring/summer 2018 collection themed "Promenade."
"The collection is inspired by Japanese fashion during the Meiji period, in which local culture and Western inspirations were combined," said Istafiana Candarini, co-founder and co-designer of Kami.
The collection consists of loose-fitted blouses, palazzo pants and kimono-inspired outerwear in suave earthy tones.
The trunk show ended with "Hyang" (Goddess), the latest jewelry collection by Elly Han.
The collection consists of elaborate headpieces, necklaces and bracelets made of strings of pearls from the sea depths of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to showcase my collection at Galeries Lafayette," Elly said.
"It's a great way to test the market. I'm also bringing the same collection to the international jewelry shows in Kobe [Japan] and Madrid [Spain] later this year."
The collections will be displayed on the second floor of Galeries Lafayette Jakarta until April 15.
Part of the proceeds from the sales is going to be donated for the continuation of the IFF program.
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