Charming Capri: JET’s Batik Adventure

As my friends in Northern Hemisphere are soaking up the sun during this Summer season, I am fighting against the cold windy weather in the Southern Hemisphere. Naturally, the memories of endless sunbaths in Europe returns to my mind.

One of the perks of working in Switzerland is the opportunity to travel to its neighboring countries. Due to its close proximity to France, Italy and Germany, most Swiss nationals and residents, including expatriates, enjoy their Summer abroad during July or August.

Summer season to me means much more than just an annual restful break, it also presents the perfect opportunity to showcase my collection of Indonesian textile outfits, including Batik, Tenun, Ikat, etc.

In 2010, I chose Italy as my Summer destination. I have always been fascinated with the sun-kissed country, its people, its fashion, its history, its churches, its nature, its arts, its culinary for ages. Naturally, when the idea first came up about Summer break, all I could think about was to experience the charming Italy.

And what would be more fabulous then to embark on a fashionable Batik adventure to the larger-than-life Capri island?

In 29 BC, Caesar Augustus was the first Roman Emperor who built a villa in the island. During the reign of Caesar Tiberius, Capri replaced Rome as the center of Roman Empire. Since then, the island is well known as the beloved holiday destination to the Western civilization.

Since 19^th century, Capri was made more famous due to its big name visitors, from Heads of States, philosophers, artists, tycoons and Hollywood heavyweights.

The 20^th century saw the resurgence of Capri as the then First Lady of US, Jacqueline Kennedy bare footed along the chic Via Camerelle with a pair of sunglasses. Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Diana Vreeland, are among those leading figures who flocked to Capri to experience the unforgettable Summer there.

Since filming the movie “It Started In Naples” with Clark Gable in 1960, Sophia Loren has purchased a villa there and visits the island religiously for Summer. Giorgio Armani is also one of Capri’s most famous villa owners and distinguished residents.

The following photos will reveal my Batik adventure in Capri. When I think of Capri, I always remember its old world charms with its Piazzetta (small piazza in the center of the city), its Faraglioni –the three rocks stand in the nearby Mediterranean shores-, its classy churches, its boutiques –from Hermes to Dior, from Gucci to Vuitton, each major fashion house has a boutique in Capri-, its culinary –abundant of seafood, pasta, lemons, and zucchini flowers-, its café –best cappuccino ever- and most of all its friendly and helpful inhabitants –one can never get lost in Capri as the residents are so used to tourists-.

Ps. Catatan kecil JET untuk temans fashionista, rekans sosialita dan sahabats desainer Indonesia, ayo bawa kain/kemeja/dress/syal/asesoris dari tekstil tradisional Nusantara karya desainer kebanggaan Indonesia, contohnya dress Batik, syal Ikat, jas Songket dll saat liburan ke luar negeri. Padukanlah dress Ikat Maumere dari Oscar Lawalata dengan tas Birkin dari Hermes saat mengunjungi Mykonos, pakailah syal cashmere Batik dari Bin House dengan kemeja putih Anne Fontaine, jaket kulit bomber dari Saint Laurent dan celana jeans skinny dari Balmain dan espadrilles Chanel saat shopping di Maison Louis Vuitton di Avenue des Champs Elysees Paris, kenakanlah kemeja lurik Lulu Lutfi Labibi dengan leggings hitam dari Zara, stiletto studs dari Valentino, stola dari Tenun Imam dan pouch Batik fringes dari Batik Chic saat menghadiri high tea di Harrods London, yakinlah temans dan sahabats akan menjadi pusat perhatian semua orang di lokasi tersebut. Upload foto temans di Facebook, Path atau Instagram, pasti jumlah likers dan followers akan segera bertambah! Follow my recommendation if you wish to be a head turner and trendsetter! Never forget to proudly put on your Indonesian-made fashion ensemble. Rest assured that the fashionable effect will be felt instantly and highly regarded by your surroundings. The minute you step inside that famous restaurant or club, all eyes will be on you. After all, as Indonesians, we have inherited abundant traditional textile and cultural tradition from ancestors, it is the time to mark our footsteps in the fashion world! Have a fashionable travel with your Indonesian-made ensemble friends! Remember that Capri, Paris, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Roma and New York are waiting to see your pretty yet edgy signature Indonesian style!

Capri Isola Dei Sogni, in English it means Capri, the Island of the Sun. Indeed so true! This hand-painted signboard tile by local artisan is to be seen everywhere in Capri. The Capri residents, who are part of Neapolitan communities, have been famous for their artistic talents for ages.

Proudly wearing my brown shirt with Indonesian Batik lining by Oscar Lawalata for a dinner in Gemma’s Ristorante. No one can claim they visit Capri without a visit to Gemma’s and tasting its signature Italian cuisine namely the Spaghetti with Lobsters. Divine!

Shirt: Brown shirt with Indonesian Batik lining by Oscar Lawalata (Facebook: Oscar Lawalata, Instagram: Oscar Lawalata)

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in front of the Capri funicular. Visitors take the boat ride from Napoli’s Port. After arriving in Capri’s Marina Grande harbor, each visitor has to reach Capri by stepping inside the funicular located on the Marina Grande.

La Canzone del Mare, the most exclusive beach club in Capri. In the background, the I Faraglioni stand pretty against the time. Faraglioni is the three rocks which are the landmarks of Capri. (http://www.lacanzonedelmare.com)

All aboard! In the private boat trip on the way to I Faraglioni and the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzura).

The epic I Faraglioni! The rocks have each been given a name: the first, still attached to the land, is called Stella, the second; Faraglione di Mezzo and the third, Faraglione di Fuori or Scopolo.

In front of the Grotta Azzura. The earlier one comes, the less waiting time to enter the Grotto. Oh yes, we have to queue in line to enter this historical cave. The Blue Grotto is a natural sea cave, 60 meters long and 25 meters wide. Only small rowboats, which transport a maximum of four passengers, can access the cave.

Blink and you may miss the legendary Sophia Loren or the talented Giorgio Armani waving at you from their stately villas. 

But first let me shop! Abundant of local made souvenirs are to be found in this I Love Capri shop.

Tell me how can one not fall in love to Capri with all these romantic garden corridors?!!!

The ruins of Villa Jovis in Anacapri. Villa Jovis is the imperial residence of Tiberius, Roman Emperor. Imagine that during that ancient time, the Villa was well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a few sauna rooms.

Hand-painted dishes and tiles are the specialty of Neapolitan artisans, including those living in Capri. This pretty dish is the center piece of each dining table in Ristorante Da Giorgio in Capri, one the most fully booked restaurants during the Summer season.

The map of Capri as painted in this unique signboard tiles on the corner of Capri’s street.

The famous tiles of the San Michele church in Anacapri. The tiles dated from 1761. In the center of the tiles is an angel with a flaming sword driving Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The devil, in the form of a serpent, is wrapped around the Tree. Due to its age, the tiles have been preserved immensely. Visitors are given a chance to take photos of the tiles from the balcony, however no one is permitted to step on the tiles.

The San Stefano Church which forms one of the unforgettable backdrops for the Piazzetta. Inside the San Stefano church, on the left side from entrance, in front of Altar, one will find the most beautiful Madonna and Child with blonde hair and dressed in golden-embroidered blue cape.

Piazza Umberto I, famously known as La Piazzetta, is the it place in Capri to see and to be seen. The famous bell tower is one of the signature landmarks of Capri. Before dinner, visitors flock to the cafes in this Piazza to enjoy some aperos and cocktails.

The Canfora sandals, hand-made in Italy for generations, is a favourite of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis –as seen in this photo-. Its first store still stands grand in the initial location, Via Camerelle. Photo source (http://www.capri.com/en/c/canfora-capri-sandals).

Aside from Canfora sandals, visitors to Capri look for the world wide famous perfumes by Carthusia, a centuries old perfumery based in Capri. Each bottle of fragrance from Carthusia holds a unique scent that represents Capri and its personalities. My favourite is “Capri Forget Me Not”, well if I can never forget her then she better never forgets me too, right?!!! Photo source: (http://www.carthusia.it)

As one of the best holiday destinations in the world, Capri is also a sought after destination for shoppers. A few years back, Louis Vuitton released a limited edition Neverfull Capri. In celebration of Summer 2015, the I Faraglioni of Capri is immortalized by Dolce and Gabbana as the designing duo released several collections of Ready to Wear and accessories inspired by Capri. Photo source (Instagram: @stefanogabbana).

Similar to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Rue du Fauborg St Honore in Paris, Via Camerelle is home to the world’s most well known fashion houses. From Hermes to Pucci, you name it, you’ll have it. Photo source (http://forum.campanialive.it).