The Well Dressed JET in Wellington

On a recent short trip to the most southern end of the Hemisphere, JET encounters the beautiful Wellington (http://www.wellingtonnz.com), located in the North Island. Many are familiar with the city’s status as the capital of New Zealand. However, only a few is accustomed with its position as New Zealand’s capital for culture, including fashion.

Through this trip, JET learns that fashion also plays an important part to the residents of Wellington, namely the Wellingtonians. The Wakefield Street at the CBD of Wellington is one of the very few addresses that cater to the well dressed Wellingtonians and visitors, including your fab JET. This street is the home to the much beloved New Zealand’s designers and boutiques. This street is lined with the lovely creations of Karen Walker, Deadly Ponies, Otsu, etc.

In contrast to Indonesian designers who focus on vibrant colors and flamboyant patterns in their creations, Kiwi designers underline monochromatic tones and cutting edge yet comfortable designs in their outfits. 

Those who have followed JET’s previous stylish adventures would know precisely that JET would always provide thoroughly ample time to dwell into the local fashion industry whenever he visits a new region or country.  Why? Because only by doing so that we could truly understand and appreciate the beauty of fashion from one country to another, including the diverse traditional textiles and the uniqueness of fashion designs.

During these visits, JET never forgets to put on a touch of Indonesian fashion on his outfits. This is because since he was little, his stylish Mom –who is an Indonesian textile aficionado- has shared a few important tricks to keep up his appearances during those travels abroad.

One of the most important tricks is to bring along Indonesian textile outfits and accessories. At the end of the day, one’s look must represent the richness of one’s diverse cultural background.

So, before flying over the Tasman Sea, JET fully prepared his travel. He brought about a few pieces of Indonesian clothing and accessories, including Batik, Tenun, etc, to be worn during the festive few days in the amazing Land of Kiwi.

Graciously accompanied by Mrs Rennie Wibowo Tavares –spouse of the Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand- who is a great friend of JET and also a superb Indonesian traditional textile collector, JET forefronts the very best of Indonesian textile while strolling around Wellington’s most famous local haunts as well as dining in its wonderful restaurant and café.

Now, JET invites you to scroll these photos and witness yourselves why New Zealanders, including Wellingtonians, were mesmerized with JET’s modern yet ethnic look, global yet traditional ensemble.

Quoting the very words of the smart and beautiful Mrs Wibowo Tavares a.k.a. my BFF, “wearing colorful Indonesian Batik/Tenun/Ikat during the rainy, windy and gloomy day in Wellington is the perfect ‘pick-me-up’!”

Now, fashionable voyagers, let’s sail forth stylishly across oceans and continents!

Ps. A little note to my fashionable friends, never ever fear to express your signature style by delightfully combining your country’s traditional textile or perhaps your country’s much beloved designer’s creation with your modern attire. In fact, the result will prove to be successful if one carries one’s look confidently and gracefully. This is the time to have a well-arranged wardrobe in your luggage or trunk. Remember guys and gals that a well-arranged luggage represents a well composed personality of the luggage’s owner!!! J

Catatan Kecil untuk temans fashionista dan sahabats desainer Tanah Air, jangan lupa untuk tampilkan ke-Indonesia-an kita saat liburan ke luar negeri. Persiapkanlah busana yang akan dikenakan dari beberapa hari sebelumnya agar tampilan anda tidak hanya mengundang decak kagum orang sekeliling anda namun juga komunitas fashion di negeri yang dikunjungi. Sahabat-sahabat JET tahu pasti bagaimana JET mempersiapkan busana untuk kunjungan keluar negeri sedetil mungkin, misalnya untuk acara semi formal, JET akan siapkan jaket atau jas dari bahan Batik/Tenun. Mengapa demikian? Karena semakin kita baik dalam mempersiapkannya, semakin kita akan tampil yakin dan cemerlang dalam memadumadankan busana tradisional dan modern saat kunjungan tersebut. Contohnya, syal Batik dari bahan kashmir dapat dikenakan tidak hanya sebagai syal namun juga sebagai ikat pinggang. Skinny legging dari Balmain, misalnya, juga dapat dipakai tidak saja dengan jaket kulit namun juga dengan kemeja Tenun Sabu dan tas tote biru dari Goyard. Fashionistas, sebagaimana juga hal lainnya dalam hidup ini, kunci utama untuk berbusana apik tanpa meninggalkan identitas kita sebagai warga Negara Indonesia saat bepergian adalah persiapan yang matang! Tiba saatnya bagi fashionista untuk menata busana yang akan dikenakan saat kunjungan keluar negeri dengan sebaik-baiknya dan sesuai dengan event yang akan dihadiri.

One lovely moment with H.E. Mr Jose Tavares, Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand, and Madam Rennie Wibowo Tavares at the majestic hall inside Indonesian Embassy in Wellington. Thanks to the Ambassador and Madam, my parents (Mr & Mrs Jos Tandjung) and I had a memorable trip in The Land of Kiwi.

The Indonesian Embassy office is listed as a heritage building in New Zealand. I adore the full wooden panel inside the building and the warm masculine ambiance that it creates.

My Dad, Mr Jos Tandjung, wears an Iwan Tirta’s batik shirt accompanied H.E. Mr Jose Tavares during a humble celebration of the Ambassador’s birthday in Indonesian Embassy. Source: Iwan Tirta’s instagram.

Great friends not only think alike but also dress alike! The elegant Mrs Rennie Wibowo Tavares with JET at the wooden staircases in the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington. In this photo, the spouse of the Indonesian Ambassador wears a hand-painted Indonesian Batik bolero from Novita Yunus for Batik Chic (Facebook: Novita Yunus, Batik Chic, instagram: @Batik_Chic).

JET wears a Chinese collared jacket made from Tenun Sabu (Hand-woven textile originating from the region of Sabu in Flores, Indonesia) completed with a Chinese vintage coin used as buttons.

It is not very easy to taste Indonesian culinary abroad. Thanks to Mrs Rennie Wibowo Tavares, my parents and I were able to enjoy authentic Indonesian culinary in NZ, namely mie bakso (meatball noodle) and gado-gado.

The windy Wellington on a sunny Spring day. JET puts on a Tenun Sabu jacket against a picturesque backdrop of Wellington. Tenun Sabu is a hand-woven traditional textile made mostly by women in Sabu Island in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. There is no frequent timetable for arriving or departing ships from the island which makes this Tenun Sabu as an even more sought after item for textile collectors.

The Indonesian textile lover family! My parents and I all dressed up in Indonesian textile outfits at the Wellington Cable Car. My Dad handsomely wore a Batik shirt by Iwan Tirta Private Collection. The late Mr Tirta was the renowned Batik maestro of Indonesia whose creations have been worn from Nancy Reagan to Bill Clinton. The talented new Creative Director for the house of Iwan Tirta is Ms Era Soekamto (http://iwantirtabatik.com).

Mom elegantly wore a tunic made from Balinese Endek and designed by Nita Seno Adji (Facebook: Juanita Seno Adji).

My jacket is made from traditional textile which is woven in the Sabu Island namely Tenun Sabu. Location: Wellington Cable Car (http://www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz/).

What would be nicer than spending the lovely afternoon with one’s closest circle at Wellington’s newest and hippest French café namely Louis Sergeant (http://louissergeant.co.nz/). My Mom and Dad loved this café’s apple strudel and flat white.

My customized hand-engraved i-phone 6+ leather case from Envy Me blends nicely with this lovely dessert of chocolate éclair and a cup of skinny cappucino. Location: Louis Sergeant.

No foreign visit would be complete without a must see and shop visit to the local designers haunts. Visiting one of the most happening fashion streets in Wellington, namely the Wakefield Street. One would find an array of New Zealand’s designers’s shops along this road, including the famous Karen Walker and The Service Depot.

Accompanied by his Mother, JET visited the Karen Walker shop in Wellington. For this visit, JET chose to dress up in Indonesian Batik short-sleeved shirt designed by Dudung Ali Syahbana. Mr Dudung is an Indonesian Batik maestro from Pekalongan.

Karen Walker is a prominent New Zealander designer whose creations have graced the world’s leading department stores and worn by international figures of fashion. I am a big fan of Walker’s simple yet beautiful designs. Take a look at the unique crocodile statue sticking on the ceiling, as well as those to-have-for ankle boots! (https://www.karenwalker.com).

Meet Ms. Ange Gordon, the beauty and brain behind the Service Depot boutique (http://www.theservicedepot.co.nz/). This boutique-cum-gallery provides the very best creations of New Zealand’s best designers, to name a few Deadly Ponies, Miss Crabb, Otsu.

Fashionista, what do you think of this elegant bag by Deadly Ponies? Could be worn both ways a sling or pouch. This bag is available at The Service Depot in Wellington. Look at the lush and luxe leather with intricate craftsmanship of the bag. Divine! (https://deadlyponies.com/).

The much beloved leather ware brand from New Zealand, Deadly Ponies offers one of the most collectible leather bags. All Deadly Ponies items are proudly made and designed in New Zealand. This bag is available at The Service Depot.

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