Minimalist Mazuki’s Clean, Comfy Chic
New York can be quite an enigma. The metropolis, as one of the most important centers of art, commerce and entertainment in the United States, is definitely exciting.
But the city, teeming with more than eight million people from many different parts of the world, can also be intimidating.
“It’s like there are so many people in the city, but you feel very lonely,” said young Indonesian fashion designer, Miranda Mazuki.
And yet, for those, who want to pursue a career in fashion, NYC is definitely the place to be.
That’s why Miranda, after completing her studies at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, which sits at the center of a fashion mecca in its own right, moved to the Big Apple in 2012 to gain experience in the city’s dynamic fashion industry.
“I didn’t know anyone there,” said the 21-year-old. “At first, I felt very lonely. Everyone was so busy with their own lives and arrangements.
“But for some reasons, I thought it was home for me. And I felt comfortable being in [such a] solitary place.”
Being completely alone in the big city has sharpened the young designer’s artistic talents, as well as her fighting spirit.
In her first months in New York, the young designer interned with American fashion designers, including Jill Stuart and Joseph Altuzarra.
She also assisted the public relation team at Valentino for the Golden Globe Awards in 2013.
“You learn a lot from being an intern,” Miranda said. “You see a lot from the bottom. It’s a very good experience.”
That same year Miranda also joined the hip ready-to-wear brand Opening Ceremony as an assistant designer and worked closely with its founders, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim.
“I really like the dynamics of the company,” she said. “[Leon and Lim] are very creative and very nurturing, as well. They taught me basically everything.”
With the knowledge and experience gained in New York’s fashion industry, Miranda gained the confidence to come home to Jakarta and start her own line.
“The [fashion] industry, it seems to be growing here [in Jakarta],” she said. “There are a lot of up-and-coming [Indonesian] designers. I think they’re doing a very good job. They’re also very inspiring for me.”
Miranda named Felicia Budi and Biyan Wanaatmadja as among the local designers she admires.
“Biyan has amazing craftsmanship,” she added.
The young designer recently launched her eponymous label Mazuki, and debut collection in Casa Domaine luxury residences in South Jakarta.
Themed “Comfortable Solitude,” the collection drew inspiration from Miranda’s first weeks in New York.
“It’s about finding beauty in a solitary place,” she explained.
The collection is made of men’s and women’s day-to-night wear in monochromatic hues of black, midnight blue, navy, white and khaki.
The outfits have a relaxed feel and minimum embellishments.
“I had to move around a lot in New York,” she said. “I had to find a job. I had to bring my ‘A Game’ to the jobs I had. So, [my clothes] had to be practical.
“When you’re working really hard, you cannot be staring at the mirror, fixing yourself the whole day. It’s about picking one thing for the [whole] day and to really function in that.”
The strong points of Mazuki are in the choice of fabrics and their distinctive construction.
To remain comfortable throughout the day, the clothes are made of soft, breathable and natural fabrics, such as silk, wool blend and Egyptian cotton.
“[Egyptian cotton] doesn’t wrinkle as much,” Miranda said. “It’s actually very soft on the skin. And it’s thicker, so it builds more structure on the body.”
Mazuki’s asymmetrical lines make her outfits stand out.
“I draw a lot of inspirations from imperfections actually, [as well as] designs and constructions that are overlooked,” she explained, adding that some of Mazuki’s pieces are unisex.
Miranda’s friends and clients were on hand at the label’s launching party to lend their support.
“It’s really interesting to see a young designer going towards versatility, something more easy-going and ready-to-wear, because every designer in Indonesia [generally] wants to do couture,” said Miranda’s friend, Bianca Belnadia Lie.
Bianca, who was wearing a Mazuki navy jumpsuit that evening, praised the label’s fabrics and designs.
“It really feels good [on me],” she said. “[Miranda] uses ordinary fabrics and constructs them so well that they feel as if they were tailored for your body.”
Mazuki’s items, according to its designer, are also easy to mix and match.
“Well, basically I’m providing a medium with a lot of room for personalization. You can personalize [the outfit] to your own style by adding your own accessories,” Miranda explained.
“You can mix and match using [various items] and make the look your own.”
Mazuki’s collection is now available at online retailer Shoppe33.com for between Rp 1.5 million and Rp 5 million ($115-$386) per item.
The young designer also plans to launch her own online boutique in the next two or three months.
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