Tuesday 18 September 2012

Isetan: Bringing Jakarta Fashion Week to Singapore!

Ever since getting to know and blogging about  Indonesian labels like Toton and Nikicio, Jakarta has been put firmly on my to-go to list for Bonjour on Tour! It seems wherever you go, Asia is a hotbed of fashion creativity.

But until I finally get on that plane (hopefully around the beginning of November for Jakarta Fashion Week), I have to settle for a rare taste of these talents thanks to Isetan Singapore which has organized a Designers’ Week’ event in collaboration with JFW.

Isetan is one of the big department stores in Singapore which I really like, because they stock a variety of local designers, especially emerging ones and thus expose them to a more mainstream crowd. It is something I respect them for.

So when I heard about their Designers’ Week event – which is running until September 25 and is held at Re-Style section on Scotts which stocks the local designers’ labels - I went to check it out only to discover some amazing labels which I previously didn’t know about.

Antyk Butyk necklace from Indonesia
How can you not love these colourful necklaces from Indonesian
label Antyk Butyk?

Pencil necklace from Indonesian label Frej
Something quirky and unique! I'm sooo in love with this
Frej necklace made of pencils!!!

In total there were 6 labels. For clothing, it was KLE, Hunting Fields and Major Minor, for accessories: Antyk Butyk and Frej and one lifestyle label called Canvas Living.

Clothing-wise I really liked Major Minor collection which by the look of it took inspiration from Van Gogh’s painting in terms of colours (navy blue and yellow) and even replication the pattern of Starry Night (one of my favourite paintings ever) in some of their tops. The overall feel of the collection was effortless and ease but with a bit more colour. The textures were also mostly soft where a lot of chiffon used.

Blue jacket by Major Minor
Nicely cut pieces by Major Minor...

Major Minor top inspired by Van Goch's Starry Night
Does this remind you of any particular work of art :-)?


I also liked Hunting Fields especially their edgy yet soft cuts which are a bit unusual and interesting although most of the pieces came in black or a light shade of grey. I even tried on an ankle-length dress which I really loved, only to find that it was a bit too big for me. Overall, this label kinda reminded me of Singaporean label Max.Tan with its take on structural silhouettes but with a more feminine edge.

The third clothing label is KLE, another new emerging label from Indonesia which does chic with a twist. Most of the pieces were easy-to-wear casual chic and it had a lot of mix and match separates especially comfy looking bottoms which can become a challenge in this heat!


Indonesian label Hunting Fields
Hunting Fields makes some beautiful interesting cut dresses

Indonesian label Hunting Fields

Indonesian label KLE
KLE is all about comfortable and chic cuts for everyday wear.

Indonesian label KLE
Love how effortless and cool this KLE outfit looks!

Accessories-wise, both labels stood out. I especially loved the Antyk Butyk creations ranging from necklaces pieces made from a variety of material like Perspex and acrylic geometric pieces in a bright colour palette and interesting shapes. Every single piece on display was truly unique and beautiful which explains why even Cleo Indonesia magazine has nominated this label as the ‘Most Promising Accessories Brand at the Jakarta Fashion Week. I’ll definitely be looking for this one when I’m in Jakarta!


Tribal inspired necklaces from Indonesian label Antyk Butyk
Awesome necklaces from Antyk Butyk, ranging from tribal-inspired

Necklaces from Indonesian label Antyk Butyk
To modern laser-cut forms and shapes...

Necklaces from Indonesian label Antyk Butyk

Necklaces from Indonesian label Antyk Butyk
Love this piece!!!!

The other accessories label was Frej, whose style was super quirky and cool especially the statement necklaces which use parts of colourful pencils in them. It looks super fun and slightly unusual which is perfect for me J

For those less adventurous, the label also offers some more toned-down styles which could go with any daily outfit.

Designers' Week at Isetan Scotts is running until the 25th of September so make sure to pop by and check out these cool Indonesian labels while they’re in town! More info on their facebook page here.

Pencil necklace from Indonesian label Frej
The standout for me were these quirky pen necklaces from frej

Pencil necklace from Indonesian label Frej
They come in different colours and shapes...

necklace from Indonesian label Frej
More toned-down styles from frej

necklace from Indonesian label Frej