From Paris to Bandung, Indonesian Most Wear Designer Anggiasari Mawardi Is One to Watch

Isye Suciati, the designer’s mother, is a successful tailor in Bandung. Following in her mother’s footsteps, during high school, Anggiasari started making her own clothes. Seeing her pretty dresses, some of her classmates asked her to also design theirs.

But at that time, Anggiasari thought of fashion designing only as a hobby. After high school, she pursued her childhood dream to become a dentist. She took both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in dentistry at Padjadjaran University in Bandung.

“Studying to become a dentist was hard,” the 35-years-old said. “I often had to stay up all night to study. After I graduated, I had nothing much to do at night. So, I again returned to the habit of designing dresses when I couldn’t sleep.”

Anggiasari’s friends and colleagues, admiring her dresses, started ordering from her. With growing confidence, the dentist-turned-designer then started selling her collections in boutiques and bazaars.

Anggiasari’s clientele grew in 2011 when she launched her modest ready-to-wear label “Anggia Handmade.” In the same year, she also set up her own boutique in Buah Batu, Bandung. Anggiasari also sources all her materials locally from Bandung.

“I’m very proud of her,” Isye said. “She’s clearly taken after me. I pray for her success both as a dentist and fashion designer.”

In October 2016, Anggiasari presented her fashion collection in the “Fashion Glam Couture” event in Paris.

“Presenting my collection in a fashion show in Paris is like a dream coming true for me,” the dentist, who currently works in a private clinic in Bandung, said.

The fashion show in Paris, according to the designer, was a success.

“I was interviewed by a lot of reporters and bloggers, and a French blogger bought two suitcases full of my dresses,” she said.

Anggiasari presented her modest wear spring/summer 2017 collection in a fashion show themed “Hina’ea,” meaning Goddess of the Sun in Haiwaiian.

“I’ve always loved the beautiful colors of the sky when the sun rises and sets,” the designer said.

The collection consists of 46 women’s and 4 men’s outfits in creamy pastel hues and white tones. The fashion show started with a series of women’s daily ready-to-wear items, which is made of loose-fitted tunics, harem pants and palazzo pants. Delicate frills and ruches adorn some of the items.

The second portion of the fashion show was dedicated to women’s workwear, which featured streamlined coats, jackets and pantsuits made of crepe, satin silk and lace.

“Anggiasari is very talented,” Rafi, a representative of D’Fashion Textile & Tailor — one of the local textile shops that supported the designer — said. “She can transform any material into beautiful creations.”

The fashion show also had a series of evening gowns in white jacquard and tulle.

“The [white] dresses would be suitable to wear during the upcoming Idul Fitri occasion,” the designer said.

About 100 fashion enthusiasts from Jakarta and Bandung were invited to the fashion show last Thursday.

“The collection is simple, yet very nice to look at,” Jetty R. Hadi said, the chairwoman of the Indonesia Islamic Fashion Consortium, after the fashion show. “The designer has also successfully transformed some classic designs into chic and modern creations.”

Anggiasari plans to open her second boutique in her husband’s hometown in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday. She will also present a special collection in the upcoming Muslim Fashion Festival on April 7.

“Fashion has always been my passion. I really want to focus on it and grow my label,” the designer said.

Originally published on jakartaglobe.id