Disaya and Tu’i are among the high-end Thai brands to showcase their designs in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town’s Central Department Store. (Photos courtesy of Image.net, Disata and Tu’i)
Next week Jakarta will receive another exciting addition to its already vibrant and lively shopping scene. Thailand-based fashion retailer Central is scheduled to debut to the public in the East Mall of Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Central Jakarta, on Nov. 28.
The department store, which occupies approximately 21,000 square meters of premium retail space at GIST, will carry heaps of the Asian kingdom’s ready-to-wear labels. While most of these will be revealed at next week’s opening, fashionistas were given a sneak peak at a number of items during the 2015 Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW) earlier this month.
Among the women’s premium ready-to-wear and costume jewelry labels at the 87-year-old retailer’s latest location is Disaya. Established by prominent Thai designer Disaya Sorakraikitikul, the brand is well known for its playful, yet elegant feminine designs. At JFW, Disaya presented her fall/winter 2014 collection titled “Luxatlas.”
“‘Luxatlas’ is the new chapter for Disaya ladies that will surpass their habitual sweet darling style,” said the designer.
Disaya’s new collection is indeed sweet, and yet, unorthodox. The collection is made of simple pieces, adorned with fun and quirky prints. According to the designer, the prints were inspired by world maps of the 1800s.
But even with the historical element, Disaya managed to add a touch of playfulness to the otherwise dainty and elegant dresses of “Luxatlas.”
(Photos courtesy of Image.net, Disata and Tu’i
In addition to the prints, Disaya also embellished her items with embroideries and sequins to create a more glamorous look. Among the patterns she introduced this season were aquatic animals, hot-air-balloons, maps, as well as some abstract motifs in attractive color combinations.
“I see a lot of connections between Disaya and Jakarta,” said the designer. “Disaya is about luxury. And I feel that Jakarta’s ladies also lead a luxurious lifestyle. They like to go to events and attend cocktail parties.”
Internationally, Disaya’s dresses have been seen on top international celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Taylor Swift.
In her newest collection, Disaya introduced a new design of peplums, which cascades from the chest towards the hips to elongate a woman’s body.
The Thai designer graduated from world-renowned fashion school Central Saint Martins (CSM) College of Fashion and Design in London, where she also apprenticed for British designer John Galliano.
Disaya’s first label was a lingerie line, “Boudoir by Disaya,” which was launched in Bangkok in 2004. She then followed the line’s success with her namesake ready-to-wear and costume jewelry label.
Disaya made her Indonesian debut at Jakarta Fashion Week, showcasing her line of jewelry and accessories — including bejewelled sunglasses, embroidered and sequined bandanas, as well as gloves made of tulle — on the catwalk.
The models looks were completed with handbags created by another Thai designer, Tu’i, who will also be represented at Grand Indonesia’s Central Department Store.
“In fact, our [designs] will be side by side,” said Tu’i spokesperson Vasira Makkasaman, referring to Disaya.
Tu’i was established in Bangkok in 2008 by celebrated Thai designer Tipanan Krairiksh Srifeungfung.
Trained at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Tipanan is famous in her homeland for the bold geometric shapes of her handbags, which are inspired by the art deco architecture of the 19th century, as well as the use of exotic materials. All Tu’i bags are made of genuine leather and embellished with real furs and feathers, as well as tiger fang zip-pullers.
For the fall/winter 2014 collection, Tu’i introduced its new collection, “Le Bal Masque.”
(Photos courtesy of Image.net, Disata and Tu’i)
Referring to the masquerade balls in French high society during the 19th century, Tipanan’s clutches were embellished with silver and gold-plated classic goalie masks, which also function as handles.
A number are made of python skin in simple black-and-white and embellished with tassels. When the models sashayed on the catwalk, the sway of the tassels hanging from the clutches in their hands accentuated their moves.
One piece was particularly eye-catching; named “Isabella,” the square clutch was perfectly palm-sized and adorned with the silver and gold-plated Tu’i emblem. Hanging from it was a short tassel made of ostrich’s feathers. In a word, the clutch looked swank with its metallic emblem and ostrich’s feathers peeking from between the model’s fingers.
Tu’i handbags and clutches will be sold at between Rp 2 million and Rp 6 million ($164 – $491.5) in Central.
Disaya’s fashion items, on the other hand, will be retailed at between Rp 6,000,000 and Rp 10,000,000.
“We’re also looking for Indonesian partners to carry our collections in their stores,” said Makkasaman, adding that the two designers’ showcases at Jakarta Fashion Week were generously sponsored by Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).
In another cultural and fashion exchange, DITP will invite a number of Indonesian designers to present their collections at the Bangkok International Fashion Fair (BIFF) International Leather Fair (BILF) in March next year — both of which are considered to be some of the most highly regarded trade-shows in Southeast Asia.
“Fashion is a global language,” said Svida Alisjahbana, chairwoman of Jakarta Fashion Week. “It’s about synergy and dialogues. And these kinds of fashion dialogues allow us to introduce Indonesian fashion to the world.”
For more of Disaya Sorakraikitikul’s and Tu’i’s designs, check out Disaya.com and Tuibag.com
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