BNSD Students Showcase Goronotalo Inspired Fashion Collections During JFW 2020

On Friday 25th October 2019, BINUS Northumbria School Design Students had the opportunity to showcase their own catwalk collections at the Senayan City Fashion Tent. The event took place on the fourth day of the much anticipated Jakarta Fashion Week 2020 which has been running annually since 2008. This year, students drew inspiration from a field trip visit to Gorontalo, Sulawesi to present a collection entitled “Hulontalo: Seruan dari Utara”.

Over the course of 23rd-25th April 2019, BNSD students enrolled in the fashion program undertook a research field trip to Gorontalo. During this field trip, the students got the unique opportunity to interact with and learn directly from the local artisans, as well as experience the natural beauty of Gorontalo to obtain a deeper understanding and to bring elements of the local culture and heritage into their fashion collections including local crafts like Karawo, the landscape and the people’s fighting spirit . The collection’s title is derived from Hulontalo, the old name of Gorontalo as well as the term for Gorontaloans and the Gorontaloan language, as well as the shout (seruan) of bravery from the province that is located in the northern part of Sulawesi.

At the event, 6 fashion brands by 12 selected students had the chance to show their collections, with each one presenting a different facet of Gorontalo, namely:

• BERONTAK 1942 by Julia Dian Ferdinand and Ian Hugen

BERONTAK 1942 is a collection that is inspired by the history of Gorontalo’s independence and also its values. It represents hard work and spirit to fight for the right of freedom from those who fall upon them. This whole collection outlines the beauty of a rebellious spirit.

• KONTINU by Karen Jeshanah and Owen Kumala

The name KONTINU, which means continued, came from the designers’ design philosophy that relies on techniques that result in the duality of graphic lines that are both geometric and organic as well as hard and soft at the same time.The focus on Gorontalo as the inspiration is translated onto the fabric choices, colourways, silhouettes, and detailing such as solid colours that contrast each other, and structural symmetrical silhouettes and details that reflect the province’s surroundings and animals, such as whale sharks and maleo birds.

• ULO by Ikyu Esjepe and Joceline Salvia

ULO or Udu’Olo comes from the Gorontalo language which means thankful. This kidswear collection is greatly inspired by the beautiful nature and rich culture of Gorontalo. This inspiration is represented by the vibrant colours and unique textures.

• Daha by Azizah Aninda and Janyfer Kwik

Daha is inspired by the story of the movement from the Gorontalo community which shapes the Gorontalo people today. The word “Daha” means protect in Gorontalo language. The silhouette is influenced by garments from the Dutch colonial times, the colours showcase transitions, and the details are inspired by whale sharks and the interior of the first mosque in Gorontalo, Hunto Sultan Amay.

• VEIN by Nadya Tjong and Ayla Putri

A vein is a channel in the human body that carries energy around the body in many different directions. In the end, it all comes back to the heart and starts its journey again. All living things in Gorontalo are connected with veins that bring them back to the very start. Gorontalo has a very rich history about the people and animals that live there. The VEIN logo and name represents how their history and beauty runs deep in Gorontalo. The VEIN collection features feminine silhouettes with bold cuttings that are styled elegantly, accompanied by delicate detailed pearls and embroidery.

• DAILY WEIRD by Maharani Yolanda and Stefani Verlinda

DAILY WEIRD is inspired by the daily wear of the local people in Gorontalo, a layering style, and the fishermen’s clothing. The motifs reflect the beauty of the scenery and nature of Gorontalo. The collection is whimsical and weird in a good way, playful, and contemporary.

The event at Jakarta Fashion week provided the opportunity to shed light on the cultural richness of a part of Indonesia that is not widely known outside of the country through showcasing its specific crafts and production methods. This exercise served as a welcome reminder of Indonesia’s native craftsmanship and the wealth of inspiration that the fashion designers of the future can draw on to create collections with global appeal.

You can watch a video of the event at Jakarta Fashion Week here