SACRED BEAUTY, 2022
Synopsis:
In the intersection between illusion and creation lies a hidden meaning. Sacred Beauty is a collection composed of revelation, imagination, and narration, where heritage and innovation unite. A dedication to Indonesian culture close to my heart, Sacred Beauty pays homage and devotion to heritage- conserving elements of batik which has often been forgotten in this day and age.
Sacred beauty hopes to teach the importance of emotion in our daily lives. From daily activities, to what we eat and what we wear, each and every process has a unique philosophical meaning that is significant. Each story and meaning are printed on each cloth, representing unique, soft, and philosophical outcomes.
With poetic force, these digitally printed scarves are delicately accentuated by a juxtaposition of a daring mix of traditional and contemporary-influenced prints. Prints are a mix of hand illustrated, painted, and digitally illustrated motifs and patterns, being digitally constructed and edited with Adobe Photoshop. Bold soft tonal colors, illuminate creative visions of femininity that invite humbling and romantic qualities.
Sacred beauty scarves come in 3 different sizes: a lengthy sarong, 90x90cm scarves, and 45x45cm scarves. The luscious, soft, drapery qualities of silk twill enhance the luxury feel and versatility of the scarves. These pieces can complement any outfit and be styled differently, be it as a neck scarf, a top, obi belt, headscarf, sarong, bandana, wrist scarf, and more. Finished with a rolled hem, individual scarves may vary slightly in size.
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'Buketan/Bouquet' is a 210x110cm sakura cotton sarong. Sakura cotton was specifically chosen for this sarong despite its lightweight and drapery qualities that allows endless styles and uses. Buketan is heavily inspired by the classic batik style called Buketan, which translates to Bouquet, originally founded by Indo-European women in the Dutch East Indies. Carrying a symbolic meaning of honour to the Javanese society, Buketan is used for both formal and informal occasions.
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Flowers bloom in the spring sunshine, and a bride awaits a new chapter in her life. Its ornamental beauty is accentuated with bouquet flowers , parang and udan liris motifs reflecting contemporary influences. Meant to be worn by a bride, this design celebrates happines, beauty, prosperity, fertility and joy. Although it may be perfect for a bride to wear, this buketan sarong could also be styled and used for other daily life purposes.
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Kicir-Kicir
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Taking a trip down memory lane, Kicir-Kicir is a children's song from where I was born, Jakarta. Kicir-Kicir describes the culture of the Betawi tribe in Jakarta which likes to rhyme. In addition, the song is meant to entertain children whilst giving advice for living life. Just like the song, this print embodies a contemporary and fun pattern layering that aims to depict the unexpected yet harmonious cycle of life.
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Checkmate
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Depicted in the style of a board game, the print tells a jovial and victorious story. The mix of bold and soft colours from the palette translate a subtle yet strong feminine narrative. A modern spin-off of kawung and isen pattern is mixed with classic floral borders and white buketan silhouette to create a more contemporary and ornamental print.
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Seru / Fun
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Seru translates to fun. Just like the meaning of the title, this print aims to convey contemporary, and synchronous time and evolution. Button flowers were digitally manipulated to create different colorways and textures, then placed beautifully, decorating the print with a simple and feminine note. The parang motif (drawn as green and pink curves) symbolizes continuity and simultaneous efforts in seeking prosperity and building a tightly-knit relationship that is bound to break. Overarching curvatures were purposely used to emphasize the concurrent symbolic message of connection & community.
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Calm Before The Storm
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Decorated with mega mendung and tambal motifs. this print reflects poetic calmness. Mega mendung, is represented as clouds, calmness, and one's authority to retain anger. Meanwhile, tambal (stamp) motif, means to patch and/or repair problems in our life. Pattern and gradient heavy, these two motifs were used to create a philosophical note between the juxtaposition of storming anger and calmness. This intricate print pictures the main visage of Calm Before The Storm through an ornate tambal border.
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Kacaku / My Mirror
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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In accordance with its title, this print narrates the importance of self-reflection. Kawung pattern is layered with a simple flower motif, creating a fun and geometrical look. Rotation and reflection are purposely used to credit the practice of working around the narrative. Meanwhile, diagonal angles and gradients are used to reflect a mirror's glare. ​
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Paviliun / Pavilion
90x90cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Nestled amongst the geometrical structures of Parc de Laeken, delicate greenery and flowers have blossomed into a symbolic celebration of life. ​Both contemporary and classic batik patterns and motifs have been layered into botanical silhouettes, over the architectural tracing of the conservatory, visualizing a playful approach to design. Thus, advocating the revolutionization of modern design influences in batik culture. A chic and modern reinterpretation of the conservatory in a multi-way scarf.
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Pagi - Sore / Morning - Evening
45x45cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Inspired by batik Pagi-Sore, the intricate kawung pattern is contrasted by two different colours, pink and green. This diagonal and contrast in colour and scale are purposefully done, as it symbolizes balance in imbalance. This layout is commonly used in daily life, with the visible warm tones reflecting the freshness of the morning breeze across the Indonesian countryside, and the remaining, cooler tones radiating elegance and a sense of exclusivity when the evening comes.
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Cherish
45x45cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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With the use of pastel pinks and mint green, this print narrates personal power and a connection with femininity. Udan liris diagonal pattern symbolizes readiness and personal power. Hence, with the connection of the kawung motifs, this print made me feel connected and empowered to my community and the world of batik.
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Harmony
45x45cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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The philosophical meaning behind this lotus flower motif is love and life. This scarf design takes influence from Indo-China culture, where lotus is very-commonly used. Meanwhile, the sage green paints a lucky yet calm feel. In euphony, the placement lotus flower with a repetition of singular lotus motif reflects individuality in harmony.
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Sakral / Sacred
45x45 cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Depicting the stages of life, layers of squares were used to paint an illustion. In order to prosper and reach lamness, we have to seek help from the Almighty. This philosophy is reflected through beras tumpah pattern, symbolizing prosperity, and gringsing pattern, symbolizing holiness. The use of layering creates visual hierarchy, and guides the one's gaze around the details. This layout brings sacred philosophy and narrative as it allows one to draw attention to the focal point, symbolizing our goal in life, setting it apart from its surroundings.
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Tambal / Patch
45x45 cm silk twill, rolled hem edges
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Tambal pattern depicts importance of self-healing and self-correction in life. Gradients and repetition of motif is an analogy to tambal or patch. Hence, this creative direction allows for a satisfying and restorative look to the print.
SACRED BEAUTY COLLECTION
210X110cm sakura cotton sarong
90x90cm silk twill scarves
45x45cm silk twill scarves
Photography by: Helena Wijaya
Models: Adita Anggriani Widiyanto and Jessica Agnes Runtuwene