I feel so elated for the past few weeks and I just want to share my experience with Batik Batik’s first major event with the Indonesian community. The fact that I get to do the things I love and share that passion and heritage to a lot of people brings me great joy. So here's how I launched my first Batik Batik fashion show...
Batik Batik always had a flair for the
bohemian, and being in love with this fashion era, I wanted a series of Batik chic modern dresses while keeping this avant-garde, eccentric spirit alive. So I went back to the drawing board and got in touch with my team. After months of sourcing, collaborating and working, I finally have 11 beautiful batiks for Spring Summer 2015 Collection. For this batch of designs, I was inspired by the golden age of Hollywood appeal; iconic actresses and personalities who were/are known for their passion for fashion & have their distinct way of dressing up. This collection unlike my previous ones, have a wider range of sizes and are all midi dresses. Each piece has it's own personality and characteristics that compliment the female form. I called this collection
“La Dolce Vita”, or
the sweet life.
While I was going thru the process of finalising my collection, I was contacted by Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia di Australia Curtin (PPIA) Curtin University thru this lovely girl named Hasianti. PPIA is a recognised organisation worldwide that serves as a facility where Indonesian students gather and share during their study in Australia. And they invited me to their cultural event called “GAYANA” and wanted Batik Batik to participate and support our brand a stand out Indonesian Batik AUSTRALIAN Fashion line.
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| Official poster for the GAYANA Cultural Event |
What is the GAYANA? It is PPIA Curtin’s very first event which stands for "Pagelaran Budaya Seni Indonesia”or when translated means “Indonesian art and culture performances." This event features Indonesia’s different cultures from traditional dances, music and fashion. The purpose is to promote and share to the world the Indonesian Culture at the same time promote the beauty of Indonesian Heritage. As soon as they invited me, I HAD to be part of this! It’s my first big event and Batik Batik’s fashion show. This was a great opportunity to show the Gayana audience (both local and non-Indonesian) what I’ve been really passionate about. It's certainly the perfect venue for Batik Batik’s brand relaunch!
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| Having my caffeine fix on my way to the airport. Perth I'm coming! |
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| At Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne. |
Come the week of the fashion show, I've had myself well-prepared regarding tickets, hotel reservations, etc... They were the first things I worked on, so I can get them out of the way. After that, were the dresses, organising the models, contacting people (and the list goes on.. and on). It was hectic! And we didn't have much time (at all!). Luckily I got the help from my pretty friend Anggi of Lovethread, the lovely Julka of Bolushefashionblogger and one of the funniest girls I have come across Fifi of Fifi Photography who also owns a modelling agency and they all helped me by promoting Batik Batik's model casting calls. I found a few models who by the way were so very pretty and friendly! Anyway, to cut the long story short I felt really lucky to have these people I called "friends”.
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| Fifi of Fifi Photography |
The "behind the scenes" were really hectic! This is our first fashion show and PPIA Curtin's first big event, so we all were going crazy together! I was hands-on on fitting all dresses, shoes, make up and even hair, with a great assistance from the students. We did work well together though. I had to make up a mini runway in the fitting room for the final rehearsal before the runway because the show was held at the Tavern bar and people already filled up the place. Well, we got everything done, and we were all very happy.
Apart from this, I had an amazing collaboration with Vangoh Shoes. Julka, the business manager and creative director assistant for Vangoh shoes came to me a few months ago to personally interview me on behalf of her personal fashion blog bolushefashionblogger. She is originally from Perth and when she found out I was coming to Perth for the fashion show she offered to collaborate & support Batik Batik :)) I was thrilled and of course I said yes. She's such a lovely and supportive girl, funny one too!
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| With JULKA, Business Manager & Creative Director Assistant for Vangoh Shoes. |
What’s the most memorable time during the GAYANA Fashion Show? THE RUSH! Problems kept on coming one after the other but solutions popped right after too! My adrenaline was at its peak (LOL!). It was hectic and exciting! Absolutely loved it! And I loved how the efforts paid off from all the hard work done by everyone in the team. And the amount of support I was getting was really overwhelming. It was absolutely marvellous. I felt lucky to have such loving and supportive people around me. Especially my boss Madeleine at the Xocolatl Artisan Chocolate and Cafe who gave me longer breaks for me to finish my work on my laptop, and days off for my Perth Trip, and listened to my problems along the way. I have an amazing team and friends who believed in me and they never let me down. I'm very happy that the fashion show was a success. I was the happiest when I realised “Hey, it's my first fashion show and it's with my Indonesian community." I feel very blessed to be able to do this!
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| Going thru Batik Batik's 2015 Collection while wearing a Batik dress myself! |
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| Crunch time with one of the models! |
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| Spring 2015 Collection "LA DOLCE VITA" |
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| Doing final adjustments! |
I'd like to give my heartfelt thanks to PPIA Curtin University for making Batik Batik part of it’s first major cultural fashion show! And to all my team, friends and family who showed their support all the way, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for helping me get thru this wonderful experience. Terima kasih!
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| Indulging on a selfie while working... it! |
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| Coffee time at Standing Room Only Specialty Coffee, Perth. Loved them! |
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| Photo Credits: PPIA Curtin. |
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| Models lined up for Batik Batik fashion show at GAYANA event |
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| One of the models on the runway at the Tavern. |
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| Anggi of Lovethread wearing Batik Batik's Olwen dress (exclusively made for her). |
Get your piece at www.batikbatik.com.au now!
Or if you are in Melbourne, book an appointment at enquiry@batikbatik.com.au for 101 Styling and Fitting with me :)
With love,
Tirta
Batik Batik
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