We are moving towards something GOOD, aren't we? :)
Here is the English translation for BUSET - online's Profile Feature on Tirta Rahmawati or "T" for short, Batik Batik's Creative Director. This copy was included in the goody bag at the 8th Indonesian Film Festival Melbourne which was held from 26th Apr to 1st May 2013.
Original page in Bahasa
BATIK BATIK DESIGNS by TIRTA Rahmawati
"Our goal now is to showcase to the world's Batik (starting here in Australia) and the potential of batik not only as a traditional art form, but how it can adapt to contemporary or at times, couture fashion."
The word 'Batik' is familiar to the Indonesian. Even the world has acknowledged that Batik comes from Indonesia. Many local and international designers use batik as a base material for their designs.
Did you know that in Australia, there is a designer who uses the Indonesian batik as a design basis? Remarks by the community were quite positive. From the time it was launched in the beginning of 2012 until now, the label 'Batik-Batik' by Tirta Rahmawati is still running and loved by its admirers. Who is Tirta? This is how she describes herself: "I am just a simple girl yet with so much ambition living this life. I want to be one of those who pushes the boundaries, who questions the status quo. With Batik, I find these challenges that I have always sought after", she said opening the conversation.
The Batik and its style, once had seemed monotonous, has become very trendy at the hands of Tirta. "Back in 2012 was when I started to think that this journey could be fun as there is an exciting future to bring Batik into the world of fashion of Australia seeing how unique batik is," said the sweet girl.
Started in 2012, with a colleague, they started off their career in the fashion world. Unfortunately, her business partner had to stop in the middle of the road and this made Tirta have to walk alone to take care of business. "I am moving forward to making this dream into a reality and I'm here now".
The effort would not pay off without the support of people around. Tirta's family initially had doubts about her chosen path, but over time, the whole family has seen the results of hard work and tenacity of this woman - who is a Marketing Management graduate - in the fashion world. "They have come to realise that this is my true passion. I want to establish and to be successful in fashion and I have been working hard to get to where the business deserves."
Although Melbourne is known to be one of the most liveable cities in the world, it cannot be denied that when you shop here - the consideration for budget is very high. Tirta's aware of the high cost of raw materials and resources for Batik. However, the uniqueness of batik design, justifies the price and she finds it fairly reasonable. Moreover if you view of its history, batik is something worth buying.
Tirta recognised and gained inspiration for designing from many sources, including her own life's journey while also seeing the beauty of women. "I want women to be proud of themselves and to never settle with what is happening around them. I'm not saying "go extreme", but to look stunningly different and beautiful is what we should all aim for," she said firmly.
Supported by the development of today's fashion world more open and spacious, a lot of young fashion designers who come up with the label independent, wrestle them in a healthy competition. After all, every good design will have its own charm and uniqueness.
As Tirta is pursuing a career in the fashion world, there is definitely a dream to be exhibiting works at Melbourne Fashion Week or Jakarta Fashion Week. But of course this is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand and Tirta has admitted this. This is why Tirta always focuses on what she's doing at the same time trying to collaborate with several other designers to create a fashion show together someday. "We would love to do a collaboration with new young fashion designers and with other business be it shoes, hats, accessories, etc. I am very open to collaborations, it is very exciting, and I think it is what makes things work nowadays. I am very keen to sit and discuss plans, anytime," she concluded.
