A collaboration with designer Dwi Iskandar; the beauty of traditional Toraja
fabrics displayed through ‘Exotic Toraja’
Another evening of spectacular performances has taken place at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. With the intent of shining the spotlight on the cultural heritage of Sulawesi island, the five-star resort has been working together with fashion designer Dwi Iskandar to present a stage inspired by Toraja.
On 21 October 2022, the resort’s majestic Pendopo Lobby became the backdrop for the spectacular collaboration, which highlighted not only 35 types of Toraja-inspired attire, but also music and dance performances from the region.
The collection utilises authentic fabrics from Toraja. Each of them was specially handpicked by Dwi Iskandar with the help of the Toraja community, and they were transformed into a line of resort wear that is suitable for a tropical lifestyle.
Emphasising the importance of inclusivity and the involvement of communities, several disabled and pregnant models were featured, while students from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Denpasar and the Bali Design and Business Institute were invited to take part in the creative process.
The work of Dwi Iskandar has been displayed at fashion shows in Indonesia, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Seychelles. He was also in charge of designing dresses for the contestants from Malta and Georgia during the Miss World 2013 event in Bali. In crafting his artful clothes, Dwi Iskandar has long had a passion for ethnic materials and patterns, often combining traditional fabrics with his unique contemporary design. This fashion designer’s love for Indonesian culture, art and traditional fabrics is reflected in his work. Beyond fashion, Dwi Iskandar is also passionate about the topics of sustainability and incorporating the concept of ‘reuse, reduce and recycle’ into his work
This project also saw Yohan Tangkesalu, an entrepreneur that is known for his efforts to bring his homeland of Toraja to the public’s attention, supporting Dwi Iskandar in his research in Toraja.
As a five-star resort that is known for paying homage to the nation’s rich cultural diversity ever since its opening, The Apurva Kempinski Bali has been constantly showing its dedication to Indonesian culture. Its year-long celebration of Unity in Diversity is designed to highlight each of the big islands of Indonesia. Throughout the year, cultural identities such as holistic wisdoms and the beloved traditional flavours, as well as stories and handicrafts, from each region are incorporated into the guest experiences.
To further support the programme, Dwi Iskandar also took part by creating a special uniform that is exclusively worn by the Lady in Red of The Apurva Kempinski Bali. The Lady in Red is the ambassador of Kempinski Hotels and is present in every Kempinski hotel in various parts of the world.
“We are truly honoured to work with Dwi Iskandar,” shared General Manager Vincent Guironnet. “We have the same set of values, and that is how we were able to bring forth this amazing collaboration. This showcase also provides a glimpse into our 2023 programme, in which you will see more emphasis on the talents of Indonesia, and we are looking forward to unveiling it soon.”
“By involving talents with disabilities and a pregnant model, we hope to show that fashion can go beyond clothes or lifestyle,” said Dwi Iskandar. “I believe that it is a platform for us to reach out to more people, as fashion is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. I hope that this meaningful message will properly be conveyed through my collection and have a positive impact not only on the land of Toraja, but on the island of Sulawesi as well.”
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