Vivi Zubedi for New York Fashion Week 2018

Here we go again!

New York Fashion Week is back!
Once again the Big Apple is filled with those colorful parades of edgy, impassioned, romantic, beautiful, whatever-you-call-it fashion and vibrant works of art!

And look who’s joining NYFW The Show this coming weekend! 

Proudly welcoming Vivi Zubedi (check her on Instagram @vivizubedi) with ‘Urang Banua’ for NYFW 2018!

Showcasing the raw, indigenous beauty of original fabrics from South Kalimantan, or famously known as Pagatan Tenun (or Woven) and Sasirangan, Vivi . Both originating from this exotic province of Indonesia, the intricate techniques used in the process of making these fabrics makes them so special. Urang Banua, the locals who have known as passionate artisans, produce these beautiful pieces of arts which will be the soul of Vivi's ardent works. And with the touch of romantic glam, Vivi shows that modest style and Hijab ,- the head-covering Muslim wear, can be as sophisticated as others.

Vivi is indeed ready to show more of Banua’s beauty to the world at New York Fashion Week The Show 2018. And she is supported by HIJUP as well as Wardah Beauty, two Indonesian leading companies in fashion and halal cosmetics.

I will be proudly and happily joining the show on Saturday, February 11, 2018, 3 PM, at Industria, 775 Washington Street, NYC, NY, 10014.

Check out more info on Vivi Zubedi at http://nyfw.com/schedule-february-8-2018 and @ifg_nyc, Indonesian Fashion Gallery in NYC, and for sure I will be back with more stories and photos.

Go, Indonesian Fashion! 
Viva Wastra Indonesia!

Indonesian Diversity Runway Show SS18 Collection - Photo Gallery

More photos for you all :)

Indonesian Diversity Runway Show SS18 Collection - Photo Gallery

Read the story here: Indonesian Diversity Runway Show SS18 Collection 

Catherine Njoo for NYFW First Stage

All photos were taken by me using iPhone 7 Plus and Ztylus lenses.

Catherine Njoo 'Legong' with Head piece by Grace Liem

Caterine Njoo for NYFW The First Stage

DRAMA - Anniesa Hasibuan for NYFW Fall/Winter 2017

 "Please take a seat, everyone...we are about to start the show!"
I was hugging my dearest Melanie from hautehijab.com and had a chat with Gina from whatsthedoost.com as well as Heba Jay from hebajay.com when this super-efficient-looking lady was reminding everyone to take one's seats.

Gallery II of Skylight Clarkson Square was packed with people.
Media, fashion industries, bloggers, diplomats, and more.
Certainly those who have come back after a historical debut in NYFW Spring/Fall last season and those who were intrigued to see DRAMA.

Then the lights went out.
As the first model poised under the sign bearing Anniesa Hasibuan's name and the dramatic music intoxicated me, I could barely breath.
Let the show begin.

****

Please don't blame me for still getting so excited with DRAMA, Anniesa Hasibuan's latest show at NYFW Fall/Winter 2017.

For the second time, she is back with a BANG!

super ready for the show..

And coming back, like those one-hit-wonder trying to prove its lingering existence, is not easy at all, right. Being the first Hijabi and Muslim wear designer coming to NYFW and showed her collection with all models wearing Hijab, Anniesa certainly stole the world's attention for making this historic debut.

Now that people has certain expectations towards the collections being shown, Anniesa certainly endures a lot of DRAMAs while preparing for this collection. Literally.

After showing flattering pret-a-porte collections with a luxurious touch of haute-couture and intricate details filled with pastel colors in dresses,tops, jackets, pants, capes and more, Anniesa continues to work on her signature touch for a series of deluxe collection for fall/winter season.

And once again, Anniesa proves to the world that her labour of love and her passion for intricate, elegance designs perfect for Muslim ladies, as well as those wearing no hijab. 

some of the details...don't you just love it!

Being pregnant for her second baby obviously does not prevent here from creating those marvelous, out-of-this-worldly elegant pieces!

So, we arrived at around 3 PM at the venue. Took some pictures in front of the venue and off we went backstage to get ready.

cheers....photo was taken by @aldiphotoofficial

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I help Anniesa with the translations for all interviews she got before and after the show. What fun! And such an honor as well..

And she did have a lot of interviews. The New York Times, the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Pop Sugar as well as Elle are some of the medias lining up to interview Anniesa that day. Besides questions about her collections and inspiration for DRAMA, many asked about her saying on the latest administration policy about immigration and how fashion can be used to bring peaceful messages.

And indeed she was.

The decision to cast all-immigrants models, including the first and/or the second generations, for her collections is to show the world that fashion is an open world. It's beautiful, just like America, which has been long known as the land of opportunities and equality. Differences are something you shouldn't be afraid of! 

For Anniesa, coming back to the NYFW means she is given the opportunity to once again show the beauty of Islam through modest fashion and the richness of Indonesian cultures and values as projected in her works. 

Getting ready for the show!

Then, it was time to start the show!

48 looks and I'm blown away!

some of the looks..

Truly inspired by the incredible life story of women who have power to change weaknesses into strengths and uphold the ethics they hold dear as true women, DRAMA present the immaculate combination of premium materials, colors and sumptuous details, creating the astounding beauty for elegant and glamorous women.

the perks sitting on the front row :)

What do you think?

Let alone the pleads and oh those intricate embellishments!

Those arduous embroideries, laces and premium fabrics paired with pearls, beads, and crystals are just awesome.

the final one!

DRAMA successfully bring out my inner strength and energy as I see those mixture of bold , strong colors in black, white, silver, gold and copper tone, accentuated with firm lines and rich structures.

So proud of you, dear Anniesa!

And I know Indonesia and the world are, too.

great job, Anniesa

with the team :). Photo taken by @aldiphotoofficial

And of course, just like last year, Anniesa stole the attention with her works and her message of peace, diversity and equality in NYFW.

God bless you, Anniesa...and keep up the great works!

Till the next show, people :)

Are you ready for DRAMA?

Anniesa Hasibuan for NYFW Fall/Winter 2017 

Who needs drama in life?
I do!
Apparently :).

Well, we all dream of having a smooth, happy-go-lucky life that is fulfilled and abundant.
But in reality, storms are coming and sometimes deciding to stay for a while!
And here comes DRAMA! 
But hey....  it's the ups and downs of life that makes us feel alive, right!

Anyway, I am counting my days to witness DRAMA.
A different kind of DRAMA that will surely enrich my life and passion for impeccable fashion.

I am talking about DRAMA, Anniesa Hasibuan's latest enchanted works of arts in wonderful pieces  of fabrics, beads, embrodery and more.

Yes, Anniesa Hasibuan is back!
And I just can't wait to see her fantastic works.

After stealing the much deserved attention from her sparkling debut in NYFW last year, she's surely coming back with the bang!
Remember D'Jakarta? Anniesa Hasibuan's collection for NYFW Spring/Summer 2017.
And how fashion people love it!
Not only being the first Indonesian designer showcasing her brilliant works for the main show in NYFW, Anniesa Hasibuan is the first designer EVER to present her collections in modest style with all models wearing hijabs, or the head scarves.
Witnessing first hand myself how hijab and modest style beautifully paired with silk pants, outers, dresses, tops and skirts in various patterns on the NYFW runway was really an amazing experience.
I could feel the excitement and adornment in the room, rounded up with a standing ovation after Anniesa came out from the backstage.
So proud!

And that, my friend, is a true bolder step of modest hijabi style movement!
And another proud moment for us, Indonesians!
No wonder Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and soooo many global fashion media adore her and her works!

Read more about D'Jakarta and Anniesa's first epic debut at NYFW last year in Anniesa Hasibuan for NYFW Spring/Summer.
And check out this video as well..

So now, heading for Fall/Winter 2017, brace  yourself for DRAMA.
Anniesa Hasibuan for NYFW/Fall/Winter/2017!

Live on February 14th, 2017, the show will be held at Skylight Clarkson SQ, New York City.

This time, Anniesa is truly inspired by the incredible life story of women who have power to change weaknesses into strengths and uphold the ethics as true women.
DRAMA presents the immaculate combination of materials, colors and sumptuous details, creating the  astounding beauty for elegant and glamorous women.
Aren't you intrigued?

Stay tuned for more updates in my blog and will surely come back with more details!

I have received the confirmation for my front-row seat as well! 
Super exciteeeeed.
And meanwhile, get some more teaser at anniesahasibuan.com 

See you all soon, beautiful people
#AnniesaHasibuan 
#AnniesaHasibuanOfficial 
#Drama #NewYorkFashionWeek2017 
#NYFW
#AHxNYFW 
#AHxWardah 
#WardahYOUniverse 
#TheEleganceTouchandBeauty
#indonesiandesigner 🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩

Anniesa Hasibuan for NYFW Spring/Summer

And history was made!

People were literally jumping out of their seats, enthusiasticly clapping and cheering as Anniesa Hasibuan, blushed and surely relieved, stepped out to the runway after D'JAKARTA, her maiden show for the prestigious New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer Collection 2017.

I know it's been a while since the frenzy, fashion-clad New York Fashion Week, or famously shortened as NYFW, was held in the Big Apple. 

AND I AM LATE!

Kemana ajaaaa mama Bo et Obi :).
NYFW sudah berlalu sejak 2 minggu lalu dan saya baru bisa duduk tenang, mengeluarkan segala memory dan keseruan yang menjadi pengalaman luar biasa, sambil menuliskannya di blog ungu tercinta ini.

BUT WAIT, I AM NOT THAT LATE.
Or shall I say, better late than never?
September hasn't been too friendly to me. 

Well, setelah badai NYFW berlalu, tibalah taifun UNGA alias Sidang Majelis Umum PBB yang memang secara rutin dimulai setiap minggu ketiga September. Istimewa memang bulan yang satu ini.

In fact, September has always been super special here in the city.
The first two weeks, we welcomed celebrities, socialites and those blink-blink VVIPs adorned with the latest mode of fashion watching the top-notch show on the front row on series of NYFW.

Then, the following week, NYC is again welcoming the VVIPs from almost 193 members of the United Nations. That's true, the High Level Week of the UN General Assembly is on full swing on the third and the fourth week of September.

This time, the city is once again swelled with the presence of Heads of States and Governments - Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, - and Ministers with all their entourage. Plus extra Secret Service, CIA, FBI, and NYPD officers :). 

And I was lucky to be involved in these two big events at the Big Apple!
Well, I don't know whether lucky is the right word as I was surely bombarded with works, head-over-heels for all the preparation, the execution and the aftermath :).

Soooo..that's a long introduction indeed!
Back to Anniesa Hasibuan and D'JAKARTA now!

I bet many of you has seen or read the news about this historic moment when Anniesa Hasibuan walked that NYFW runway with long standing ovation from all.

The first Indonesian Designer joining NYFW the Show.

The First time ever Hijab style showcased the NYFW runway.

The first time ever Indonesian model, Laura Muljadi, walked on NYFW.

THE FIRST TIME EVER!

It's surely mind-blowing!

Not only for Anniesa, but for Indonesia as well!

Again, together with her team, I was assisting Anniesa with some preparation of the big show. Mostly on the Public relations issues, like media interviews and interpreting.

It was an honour indeed. And a lot of works at the same time, particularly during and after the show.

welcome :)

So now... Ready to see more of D'JAKARTA?

Jakarta.

Oh Jakarta...

The capital city of my beloved homeland, Indonesia.
Who wouldn't fall for it? despite its endless, crazy traffic :)

Famously known for its unique styles reflecting the rich cultural diversity, this Capital of Indonesia inspires Anniesa to once again present another remarkable face of Indonesian stunning ethnic mosaics. 

behind the scene

For Anniesa, it all felt like a dream come true.
A great dream...as a designer to be presenting her works to the world in NYFW.
Such a prestigious venue to show the world how beautiful Indonesia is.
How vibrant and colorful the hustle and bustle of live in Jakarta.

And Anniesa is capturing them all in her prét-a-porter designs.

Anniesa Hasibuan is also collaborating with WARDAH make up art, which is the original cosmetic from Indonesia. Sharing the same vivid vision and mision, both Anniesa Hasibuan and Wardah are proud to show the beauty of Indonesia to the world. 
And they started together here in the Big Apple.

That day, September 12, was started with the solemn Eid Adha celebration. We performed our sholat at the Indonesian mosque, Al-Hikmah, in Astoria, Queens. Then we were heading to Indonesia Fashion Gallery in midtown for the final preparation.

Sholat Idul Adha duluuu :)

IT WAS THE D-DAY!

After a little nap, more butterflies on her tummy, and the make-up session, Anniesa was ready. 

And off we went to the Dock, Skylight Moynihan Station. 

It's for real, people!

Backstage.... It was like a big party itself.

Beautifully messy.

Crazily hectic.

And sucessfully pumping the adrenaline to every pore of our body.

Super excited!

Models, Make-up, dresses, beauty palettes, instructions, lists and endless selfie as well as wefie were tossed up in the air.

The excitement was beyond control!

Cheeeeers from AH team :)

After some final touch on her 48 pieces of collection, Anniesa and all the team were ready for the rehearsal.

the final touch..

It took a few minutes to have the models did their blocking and walking before the show. 

the rehearsal

Then Anniesa took a brief moment to have a 'me time'.

In that very runway.

it's her :)

In between, Anniesa did many live as well as recorded interviews with a wide ranging media personnel who were waiting to make a special interview for her. 

during the interview

Most of them asked about the theme of her collection, the inspiration behind her work, why NYFW and what she thought about hijab style.

What bring here to NY?

What new things she will introduce to NYFW?

And how she felt about all this NYFW...

more behind the scene snaps :)

Meanwhile, outside of the Dock, guests and invitees were lining up already.

they just couldn't wait..

Ambassadors, diplomatic communities, 

Fashion communities, media representatives, potential buyers and more were joining the show.

It was a full house indeed.

Then the show started.

Sitting on the front row, next to my Ambassador's wife, we definitely enjoyed every single piece of Anniesa's labour of love.

enjoying the show, taking some pictures and sending it directly to my socmed :)

And D'JAKARTA surely has successfully grabbed the attention during the NYFW.

Let's take a look at the details.

some details

For the patterns, Anniesa uses printing techniques for belt and batik to add the Indonesian touch and her bold signature characters. 

Love the shades she chose and all those intricate details. 

Even the funky glasses looked super cool.

All the lace, the patterns, the embroideries, the pearls and beads...all harmoniously created such stunning dresses, tops, pants, jackets, and more.

don't you just love it :)

As for the colors, this time, Anniesa has earthy tone combined with gold, green and peach, dominated these intricate designs.

love it!

Everything was flawlessly beautiful!

Particularly the final piece... Gracefully worn by Laura Muljadi, Indonesian top-notch model. I could hear people were grasping for air as they saw this final piece.

Before standing up to giving Anniesa standing ovation that she deserved.

the final piece..

What a show!

No wonder Anniesa got a standing ovation... A rare sight in NYFW for sure.

Anniesa proved to the world that modest style was not limiting the women's ability to express themselves or their passion in fashion. 

No.

Wearing hijab does not prevent you from looking gracefully beautiful.

For sure, there are certain level of dignity and accomplishment that women feel when they faithfully adhere to their personal choice on what they want to wear in line with their religious believes, while at the same time they can be uniquely themselves, beautifully dressed in comfort and style.

And Anniesa has her elegant way of proving it!

So proud of you, Anniesa.

NYC loves you and we just can't wait to see more of your great works.

Kudos to Indonesian Designers who always brought their amazing creations for the world to see. Viva INDONESIA!

Till the next NYFW :).

*Some of the photos are courtesy of Aldiphoto, combined with my personal collection.