Designing Geometrical Islamic Wear

By Devi Apriani

Architectural background influenced her in creating an outfit.

Ten years ago Islamic wears were still clothing worn by only muslim women. The models were also rather simple without any accessories added. But now, the progress of Islamic wear fashion is very rapid and has become a trend. Various designs allow the muslim ladies to become more fashionable.

Events of fashion shows were then held to accommodate the creativity of Islamic wear designers. Names such as Iva Latifah, Jenny Tjahyawati, Ida Royani, Merry Pramono, Monika Jufri, Anne Rufaidah, Dian Pelangi, and of course: Hannie Hananto, are some of the most well-known Islamic wear designers with renowned works.

As seen in a fashion event a while back, around 10 Islamic wear designers participated in displaying their latest creation in welcoming the 2010 month of Ramadhan. The event that is aspired to be Indonesia's first step in becoming the "mecca" for Islamic wear; opens up more chances for the fashion industry doers. And Hannie Hananto is one of the Islamic wear designers who is consistent in maintaining the quality of her designs.

Hannie Hananto started concentrating in the Islamic wear fashion since year 2004, beginning with her involvement in the Islamic wear design competition held by a magazine. Hannie who has an architectural background won runner-up in the competition. It is from there that she began to have self-confidence and continues to give more color to the Indonesian Islamic wear fashion.

"At first I design with minimalist lines. Since I have architectural background, I like geometrical shapes. Flowers confuse me," she laughed.

Her design style that always put in the elements of lines and squares become unique when applied into various kinds of cloth with trendier cuts. She even had the time of designing Islamic wear with futuristic theme, displaying a new image to the Indonesian muslim ladies. She wishes for muslim ladies sense of fashion to be unlimited. According to her, right now muslim ladies are considered active people with various activities; thus they are demanded to pay attention to their appearance.

"I feel that Islamic wears do not limit ladies to not paying attention to their appearance. There used to be the impression that ladies with Islamic wear are weak, frail. But look now, almost in all sectors there are ladies with Islamic wear. I wish for them to follow the shifts of era, to stay stylish and have the look of power. Don't get stuck in the monotonic style, exploration is a must," she wished.

For her Ramadhan month collection this time, Hannie chose the theme of 'La Mozaique'. And in accordance to the theme of carrying traditional cloths, this time the tartan sarong 'Makasar' from Sengkang, Wajo District of Southern Sulawesi became the base material used; applying the loose cut style cutting, inspired by the bodo wear and African style of ladies wear which is the Kaftan.

"This is the third time I use traditional cloth. To be honest, it is more costly because I have to make it one by one, manually. Automatically the price for one piece of outfit becomes more expensive. However this is one of the efforts in preserving and carrying out the heritage of traditional cloth. We have to give full support," said the designer who is also looking for inspiration from interior design books.

The designer who also has a readyto-wear line under the name Anemone admitted that the rivalry in Indonesian Islamic wear fashion goes head to head. It is quite different from the time she first started. Nowadays there are more designers that also launch Islamic wear fashion and it gives more options to the people. But Hannie claimed she is pleased because this shows how the Indonesian Islamic wear fashion has evolved very rapidly.

Hannie who never misses issues of fashion in the global catwalk continues to work with her unique style of lines, geometrical shapes and also bright colors. For her, to have a unique style is a must for every designer. That is why architectural books become inspiration materials in each her design.

Source: arti magazine 31 edition