Published on February 26, 2015
The Indonesian Embassy in Australia and renowned Australian fashion icon, Perri Cutten, recently presented the “East Meets West” Fashion Show in Canberra, on Wednesday, 25th February 2015. This marks the very first time that the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra collaborated with the Australian top designer in a fashion show, reported detik.com.
The event was attended by 180 exclusively invited guests who were predominantly fashion enthusiasts and observers, business ladies, ambassadors, and members of the media. At the event, Indonesia presented the colorful traditional costumes from all over the archipelago including from Batak (North Sumatra), Lampung, Central Java, Sunda (West Java), Dayak (Central Kalimantan), Bali, Makassar (South Sulawesi), and Sumba Island, East Nusatenggara province. While, Perri Cutten House of Fashion showcased their fall and winter collections.
Aside from the fashion show, the Indonesian Embassy also held a textile exhibition to further introduce the diverse authentic hand-made traditional fabrics of the archipelago including, batik, songket, and tenun ikat. The guests were also treated with Indonesian delicacies such as kue lumpur, martabak telur, chicken satay, and more. To add to the authentic Indonesian atmoshere, guests were also presented with the harmonic sounds of the Javanese gamelan orchestra and a chance to experience the Indonesian ambience at the Indonesian Culture House.
In his remarks, indonesia’s ambassador for Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema expressed that the exclusive fashion show was not only aimed to promote the richness and beauty of Indonesian textiles and fashion, but also to celebrate the unique fusion of Indonesia’s and Australian cultures through fashion. He added that the event was also intended for charity since all profits gained would be donated to women and children organizations, namely the Marymead in Australia and Tanoker in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, chief designer of Perri Cutten, Penelope Loorham, expressed her admiration for the traditional costumes showcased at the show :”.. truly exquisite costumes; extraordinary works of art” said Loorham who has been Perri Cutten’s designer for 16 year since 1998.
About 6 scarves from Indonesia’s top designers Danar Hadi, Iwan Tirta, and Nino Riphat Kusuma’s private collections were combined with Perri Cutten’s exclusive dress collection. “Batik scarf with beautifully sophisticated motifs and colors perfectly match Perri Cutten’s fashion” commented Karenne Pfeiffer, Northern Regional Manager of Perri Cutten.
At the end of the show, Ambassador Nadjib expressed his delight in working together with Perri Cutten.”We hope that in the future,- thanks to Penelope Loorham designs- Perri Cutten will apply more batik motifs in their designs”, said Ambasador Nadjib.
