Indonesian Fashion Spot!

Ardistia Dwiasri in front of her F/W 2007 installation

Last night, the winners of Uncover/Discover Bioré + Gen Art 2007 were revealed at the Art Director’s Club, New York. Four winners of each category (fashion, film, music, art) were selected by a panel of industry experts. ARDISTIA has been chosen as the winner of the fashion category and she would receive a $ 20,000 grant, one year supply of Bioré Skincare products, and a Gen Art VIP membership package.

Bioré Skincare + Gen Art teamed up this year for a national search (within US) for the best FEMALE filmmakers, fashion designers, musicians, & visual artists. Over 1,350 entrants submitted their works and designs for a chance to gain recognition. 24 finalists (six per category) received over 16,000 public votes and narrowed down to 3 finalists per category. Then a judging panel of industry experts helped in deciding the final winner in each category. The judging panels for the fashion category are Isabel Toledo (designer), Mary Alice Stephenson (celebrity stylist and host of VH1’s America’s Most Smartest Model), Norma Kamali (designer), Cameron Silver (vintage couturier), and Ann Watson (fashion director of Henri Bendel).

A glimpse of the open bar

ARDISTIA is Ardistia Dwiasri’s ready-to-wear fashion label. A native of Indonesia, she’s a new emerging fashion designer based in New York, and a Parsons graduate. To learn more about the designer herself, Hanzky wrote an article about her on FD a while ago which was also published on DEWI magazine, please read it here, there’s also a topic about her in our forum and please visit her website.

Ardistia Dwiasri bio on the event, click on thumbnail

For those who are not familiar with Gen Art. Quoting from their web, Gen Art is the leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists. For the past 12 years, Gen Art has showcased the best emerging fashion talent in high-profile, group runway shows and other fashion presentations. Gen Art shows invite the best new design talents in womenswear, menswear and accessories to show their designs. Designers debuted by Gen Art include Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Chaiken, Cloak, Louis Verdad, Milly, Twinkle, Duckie Brown, Hollywould, Sari Gueron & Shoshanna.

I had the honor to be invited by the designer herself to this limited invitation event, attended by key industry members, press and VIPs. Instead of a ceremonial evening award, the event was more vibrant with live fashion presentation of the winning fashion designer, exhibition of works by the winning visual artist, short films by the winning filmmaker, and a live musical performance, where everyone could mingle with the winners and experience their talents. ARDISTIA had a live installation of her Fall/Winter 2007 collection where guests were able to view and access her collection from a very close distance.

click on thumbnails to view the pictures in their original size

Some key industry guests were seen at this event, Giuliana DePandi of E! Entertainment Television was said to host the event, but I saw her more as a VIP guest than hosting the event itself. From the fashion category judging panels, I was told that Ann Watson, the fashion director of Henri Bendel was also there. ARDISTIA was also interviewed by style.com and E! channel, just to name a few.

From the team and members of Fashionese Daily, once again we’d like to congratulate Ardistia Dwiasri for winning this challenge and bringing Indonesia to the international fashion scene. We are all very proud of your accomplishments and will be waiting for more of your future collections and achievements =) We’d also like to thank our FD readers/members and those who have participated along the way in casting your votes and supports.

Last but not least, I’d personally like to thank Ardistia for giving me the opportunity to style both of her collections: the Fall/Winter 2007 and Spring/Summer 2008. I remember her days in Parsons, a couple of years ago, where she did already make her mark by having her design exhibited at the Parsons front row. You’ve come a long way and we’re all so proud of you, Dis!

A blurry pic of the designer & I

Sources: genart.org, bioregenart.com, ardistianewyork.com

P.S. I apologize for the blurry & low quality pictures, blame it to my digicam (and my amateur skill) ;(