Poppy Dharsono Puts Diplomacy Into Her Designs

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a private fashion show at the residence of Mexican Ambassador Melba Pria on Feb. 3.

In the fashion show, Poppy presented 40 new looks, which were all tailored to the personalities, fashion styles and physical features of the models.

Six ambassadors, their spouses and seven of their close friends modeled for the fashion show that afternoon.

Friendship between nations was the main goal and theme of the fashion show that afternoon.

“With fashion, we can foster a good friendship with other nations,” Poppy said. “Fashion is art and art has no boundaries. With fashion, we can all blend together and discover beautiful new things in life.”

Batik from Central Java was the clear highlight of the fashion extravaganza.

Sari Kusumaningrum, executive director of BeritaSatu Media Holdings, was the first to walk the runway. Sari wore a gorgeous red dress with elaborate ruffles at the skirt and a cute batik bolero with a similar hue.

 

Etsuko Katori, wife of the Japanese ambassador, presented a short beige jacket embellished with ornate silver embroideries. The jacket was paired with a sky-blue batik sarong tied at the waist.

“It’s something that I can wear to the presidential palace or any formal events here,” Katori said. “I can also wear it in Japan or Paris.”

 

Datin Syarifah Ikhlas, wife of the Malaysian ambassador, looked stunning in the fashion show. She wore a black velvet jacket, embellished with black sequins at the lapels, a full skirt made of batik with a pretty truntum (small flowers) pattern and a long crystal necklace.

Ikhlas said. “The dresses are all very beautiful. And there’s a thick sense of friendship and solidarity in today’s event.”

Indonesian chef Farah Quinn wore a mini tube dress made of batik with an ornate floral pattern that was paired with black leather boots and an elegant long overcoat made of tenun (handwoven fabric).

“I think it’s so glamorous, so beautiful and wow,” Farah said. “I love it.”

The host, Melba Pria, wore a simple white silk shirt, lightly beaded at the back coupled with an A-lined batik skirt in the parang (knife) pattern.

In traditional Javanese culture, the Parang pattern is reserved for dignitaries and noble families only. The Mexican ambassador definitely looked very elegant in it.

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