Djenara Bags : Red for Courageously Indonesian!
D.j.e.n.a.r.a – uhm…before we get to the reviewing part…reviewing creative Indonesian brands all these times give me some inspiration on how to name my daughter ( I dunno when yet…but still); and Djenara, I would say would be one strong candidate. :p
Ok, Back to Djenara Bags!
Lania Rakhma, the founder, is by coincidence also the wife of a friend back in college (I now must admit I admire my guy friends’ taste in choosing wives :p ). She found her passion only after finishing her undergraduate study in Environmental Engineering…She participated in several fashion design competition and having convinced of her new passion, she took fashion classes at Studio Intermodel Bandung. And now—supported by her husband along the way—she has established several fashion lines (clothings, Djenara Bags, and hopefully soon, shoe lines!).
Lania admitted that she always has a particularly ‘high‘ taste in fashion, “it’s hard to find something that is really me in the market”. This is the base that she takes when she designs her products. At the mean time, she’s into batik and tenun ikat—and found herself loving and treasuring it even more as she gets mesmerized towards the rich variety of traditional patterns she found along the process. “Why not mix my hobby in designing, exploring own culture…and business..?” –she said.
Djenara comes from ‘Jenar’ (Javanese root) that means ‘Red’. Red, for her symbolizes courage, to try new things, to go beyond one’s comfort zone—“Like I did when I swerved from engineering to design, for instance”, Lania said. Djenara is still new though, and Lania expects that it will still develop in its slogan as well as its style. It may as well remain as it is now, ”Simple, chic, eclectic”.
Every Djenara design is made a la boutique : each made unique, meticulously taken care by skillful bag artisans.
For fellow designers, it’s worthwhile to hear what she says on her design and business philosophy:
Actually, when the idea of starting business suddenly pop up in your head, don’t wait till the right time come, bcoz it will never come. Just do it already and i believe when you keep on the right track & keep believing in yourself, the ‘supporting factors’ will come along the way. Amin.
As usual, I asked her some personal questions –for you to know more about Lania, the lady behind.
1. What inspires you?
What inspires me in designing bags in batik fabric is simply the fabrics itselves. They are so beautiful and I only have to mix and match the character of colours, the patterns, with my style.
2. When you’re having a really bad day, what are some of the things that will definitely cheer you up? Craves?
Taking with someone or people you love : husband, family, friends, and fellow workers…simple but warm chat would definitely boost my mood instantly
3. What makes a good design, according to you?
Originality, strong character, but not egoistic—in the sense that it can be appreciated easily by other people / customer. Design for me is more commercialized, unlike art. Art you can make however you like, but design has its commercial side. (Well, maybe I don’t know that much…hehehe)
4. Favorite designers (local and intl) you look up to?
I like more with young people who devoutly follow their passion and do their business according to it—without having to have large name or certain organization’s support..They’re more original.
My favourite international designer is Tsumori Chisato (Great imagination he has. WAW!)
5. What’s the hardest part of making your own design and running your own business. How do you cope?
Time problem. As I’m also tacking production and running clothing line also, it’s hard to find relaxing timeto design. In the end, usually I give last minute design to be produced. The source may be also Human resources problem. I cannot yet delegate much of the works and I’m still handling things across the value chain. The only best way to tackle it is just to accept it gladly, “Insya Allah everything finished at time and everything goes well”. It’s cliché maybe, but true…
At this moment, Djenara bags can be found in Shajna Store @ Kompleks Kue Soes Merdeka Jl. merdeka No. 29 Bandung, or at Djenara Facebook account here. Happy Shopping, and Good Luck Djenara!!!
![Let’s all shout, “This is Indonesian Beautiful Pattern and Colours !!”, with Kavi Indonesia Dresses
It’s been quite some time since I’ve been seeing Kavi Indonesia. But I haven’t had the chance to get in contact until recently. For all these time. I have been craving for their yummy-coloured and patterned batik dresses. Which I would certainly be proud of going around in.
Like Dreamesh, creative creation of a future-mommy back then, Kavi was established when Kavita Rezi the founder—who is another creative HI UNPAR graduated(!)— was pregnant for her first baby. (Seeing the prevalences, It might as well be interesting to inspect what pregnancy do to our creativity level! it certainly boosts up creative hormone! :p). Anyway, back to Kavi Indonesia. Despite the batik-boom 2 years ago, she didn’t find any that could satisfy her style, Kavita said. Hence, Kavi Indonesia was created, as personal indulgence, which she was downrightly putting it, ‘gw banget gituu’, which in fact, in the end, turns out to indulge me!, and certainly you too!!
The clothing and bags line are meant for Casual and Semi-formal. Her aim is to make her clothing line those favorite clothes in the drawer that you would subsequently use to go anywhere! Mall, Hanging out with friends, Work, Coffee meeting, Groceries, Cremaillaire party, Conferences, you name it—And if Kavi dresses can speak, they would shout “Hey, this is the beauty of Indonesian motive and colours!”. Well I dunno with you guys, But looking her line of clothing, I WOULD certainly wear them everywhere, and not just on Friday-casual-Day at work.
Presented with passion, Kavi Indonesia for Kavita is ‘A ‘playroom’ where I put my heart and passion in.’, and where she can contribute her little effort for Indonesia (I like this)! Now, Kavita is helped with her 2 friends, one for managing the finance and one for marketing. And…If you’re suppose to dig a bit deeper into your pocket for her dresses, it’s because they are indeed sooo cute and adorable, the exclusive hand made touch, and her limited production capacity at the moment. But don’t hesitate dig deeper and more for Kavi, hence she’ll be able to expand and make it more economize-able for everybody’s sake—-and for the beauty of Indonesia to be more pronounced widely!
Her online shop is quite succesful, admits Kavita. Apart from the frequent buyers in Bandung and Jakarta, Kavi has reached Gresik, Surabaya, Soroako, Aceh, Singapore, Canada, Dubai, Texas, Australia, Jerman.
Wew! I think I will ask Kavita to make me a custom dress of a motive I liked in her previous collection….humm hummm….Anyway, here’s her online shop you should go for a visit, right away! Best of Success, Kavita and Kavi Indonesia!
Here’s for you to get to know Kavita Rezi…..
What inspires you?
—-Lots of things! But Colors are definitely my biggest inspiration. I love Colors!
When you’re having a really bad day, what are some of the things that will definitely cheer you up?
—-Just by looking at my Son’s cute act will instantly give a big smile on my face [he’s 19 months now]…Hmmm what else?A long quality talk with my husband, a cup of Hot Jasmine tea in the morning and afternoon, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, A cup of Frozen Yoghurt , oh ya.. Bala Bala and a bowl of Hot Bakso Malang will also cheer me up at anytime! J
What’s your crave?
—-Unique Color Combinations [not only applied on fashion items ya] , FOOD!
—-Have I mentioned Mint Chocolate Chip, Frozen Yoghurt, Bala Bala, Bakso Malang, Batagor, Cireng, Steak, Serabi Solo, Sushi, Batagor, Bakmi Tasik, Blue Berry Cheese Pancake? Ahahaha
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
—-Stewardess, Kindergarten Teacher and a Broadcaster [Only one that hasn’t been accomplished –probably wont ;)]
What is the best and worst thing about being living in Bandung?
—-Living in Northern part of Bandung now [Gegerkalong].
—-Everything is great so far. Best thing is the cool air [although its not as cool as Bandung in a few years back] and the food [as mentioned before ;D] The worst thing about living in Bandung is on week ends. You cant go anywhere without getting caught by a traffic jam. So I usually just stay home , cook for my family during week ends or go to someplace not too far from my house.
^^ Thanks a lot Kavita!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l23udf3riy1qa0m5io1_500.jpg)
