Designer Itang Yunasz Exudes Optimism Despite Slowdown
Jakarta. Whether we would like to admit it or not, the economic slowdown is affecting many parts of our lives. As prices soar, many people tend to control heir spending. And as a result, almost all industries in the country suffer.
Notable Indonesian Muslim-wear designer Itang Yunasz said it is a challenging time to sell anything these days. Sales numbers are down and the overall atmosphere is discouraging.
“But of course, we have to keep working and creating even in difficult times as these,” he said.
At the recent Jakarta Fashion Week, the senior designer presented the 2016 collection of his premium line, 'Itang Yunasz.'
Itang, who also runs four other Muslim fashion labels, from mid-end women's Muslim fashion 'Kamilaa,' mid-end Muslim men's fashion 'Preview,' corporate uniform 'Tatum' and mid-end teenagers' Muslim fashion 'Moshaict,' named his newest collection 'Kalimantan.' He said he was very much inspired by the island's natural and cultural riches during a recent visit.
'Kalimantan' consists of 55 new looks for men and women which exude optimism during this bleak economic situation. The show kicked off with a series of white-dominated looks for men and women.
Caftan, loose-fitted tunics and palazzo pants made of brocade, silk polyester, chiffon and satin twill graced the lineup for womenswear by Itang. The designer used a mixed material between silk and polyester, instead of pure silk, to decrease costs.
“The result is actually very good. The clothes become more neat and elegant, as the polyester [in the material] helps to resist wrinkles."
As for the menswear, Itang introduced semi-transparent shirts, made of cotton brocade.
"The aurat [forbidden body parts] for men in Islam is from the [navel] down to the knees, so I believe [Muslim] men are allowed to wear these [semi-transparent] shirts," he said.
In the show, Itang paired the semi-transparent shirts with tailored pants made of silk polyester. The result was a glam look for today's urbane men.
Some of the items are also embellished with oversized embroideries of hornbills, a species native to Kalimantan.
In the second sequence, Itang presented a series of terracota-hue outfits, adorned with tropical prints, for men and women.
Among the floral prints are Kembang Sepatu (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Bunga Kecombrang (Etlingera elatior) and Bunga Jahe (Zingiber offcinale), which are native to Kalimantan. Some of the items are also embellished with feathers and seashells to emphasize their unique tropical look. The fashion show culminated with a series of outfits in green and dusty pink that, according to the designer, represented his vibrant outlook in life.
Prints of bamboos, foliage and flowers adorn the outfits in these series.
"Itang is a legend," said Salman Subakat, director of Wardah Cosmetics. "I truly admire his endless creativity."
The price range is between Rp 750,000 and Rp 2 million ($55-$145), which, according to Itang, is half the usual prices of his premium collection.
“It's also one of the ways to survive in this current economic situation.” he said.
Born in a military family, determination is a virtue that is embedded in Itang's way of life. After failing to win a fashion design competition in 1979, he went to Rome to study under the renowned Italian designer Renato Balestra to learn the basics of fashion designing. After a year in Rome, he returned to Jakarta to enter the same competition and won the runner-up position. He used the prize money to set up his first company, Yunasz Astabrata, under which he launched his first line, premium ready-to-wear label, 'Itang Yunasz.'
"I'd like to encourage my fellow fashion designers to keep working and creating new collections in this [economic] situation,” he said. “I'm pretty sure that the situation will improve within the next six months.”
Itang's new collection will be available at his boutique in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, at Metro Department Stores and at Mangga Dua Square from January.
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