Indonesian Diversity Creates a Platform for Emerging Designers with Unique Visions during New York Fashion Week

The Indonesian Diversity Spring 2018 showcase at NYFW brought
a wide variety of designers from the islands of the Southeast Asia country. Barli Asmara, Catherine Njoo, Dian Pelangi, Doris Dorothea, Melia Wijaya, and Vivi Zubedi all came to New York City from Indonesia to bring their culture and unique style to the runways of New York Fashion Week.

The show began with Dian Pelangi. Her collection consisted of vibrant colors, art deco mod prints, silky solids, and structured outerwear pieces. She tells Fashion Mingle that her brand’s philosophy is to show the beauty of modest fashion. “I think people are starting to acknowledge the hijab and I want to show the world that even when we are wearing hijab we can still be stylish”.

Prominently white and dominating the runway with luxurious laces, Barli Asmara is a 17 year veteran fashion designer who presented a luxurious and exotic white collection of gowns. His use of structured bodices and flowing sleeves create the perfect balance of strong and powerful femininity with flawless construction.

Melia Wijaya flattering silhouettes and dramatic sex-appeal was the perfect runway show-stopper. Her eye for color and textile design came through in every look. The taupe hues and velvety layers juxtaposed the light mesh layers showing the model’s beautiful skin tones. Bodices hugged the models’ bodies and skirts flowed behind shorter length cocktail dresses. The collection exuded a Phantom of Venice presence with grand masks and dramatic cocktail dresses and gowns.

Cathrine Njoo, has only been a fashion designer for four years but her dramatic headpieces and gowns proves that she is ready for the NYFW runway. Models moved down the catwalk with sky-high accessories, capes attached to gowns, batik bodices made out of gold embossed textiles, and low cut necklines with a feminine touch. Draped chains and layers of mesh with gold details sewn in all the right places all created show-stopping looks. Njoo came to NYFW with a passion to introduce the world to batik, the traditional fabric of Indonesia.

Vivi Zubedi is an Indonesian designer who already has clients in New York City and this collection is sure to bring her new exposure. The collection pays homage to her Indonesian culture with bright colors, contrasting trims, and dramatic length skirts. The models were dripping in prints and layers tied together with strappy belts and fabric knots. Army greens, floor-length jackets, and belted dresses all created a very modern presence. Many of the outfits were styled with handbags designed by Doris Dorothea to compliment the everyday realism of the collection.