Metro

Saturday May 17, 2008

Switch to fashion proves rewarding

Chill out in KL
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN


JOVIAN RAYKE MANDAGIE

FASHION DESIGNER

HE has a dream job and it's not just because of the star-studded life he's living or the money that comes out of it but it's because this 22-year-old loves what he does for a living.

“I was originally an architecture student. One day, I realised that I'd had enough of additional mathematics and everything else.

Flair for design: Jovian with a creation he displayed at a recent fashion show in Dubai.

“My friends had told me I had a flair for style and dressed really well so I thought, why not try designing fashion?” Jovian said about his beginnings in the fast-paced industry.

Jovian is passionate about his work and loves designing couture and kebaya-inspired pieces. He credits Indonesian designer Ivan Gunawan for teaching him a lot about the industry.

“One piece usually takes me two to three days to complete. They have to be hand-sewn especially when it comes to details like beading that needs a lot of time to complete.

“Concentration is also important as any mistake could ruin the entire fabric and I'd have to start over from scratch,” the former part-time model said.

The most memorable gown he designed was the one made for Ning Baizura that he debuted in the fashion industry with.

“It was made of denim and leather and took me about 10 days to make. I poured so much work and passion into the dress because I knew this was the piece that would make or break my budding career,” Jovian said.

He obviously made it as he has designed more dresses since for Ning, Amber Chia, Anita Sarawak, Erra Fazira, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and even members of the royalty.

This Malaysian, who is often mistaken as Indonesian because he was born in Jakarta, has dreams of seeing his label grow into an international brand.

“I believe that with a clear goal in mind and passion to see me through, I can turn my dreams into reality,” Jovian said.

What do you like about KL?

The traffic is absolutely fantastic as compared to Jakarta or Bangkok, which see much worse congestion. I also like the people because everyone is friendly and helpful. The mindset of the people is also growing to be more open and accepting of new ideas. Also, the cleanliness of the city has improved compared to what it was five years ago.

What do you dislike about KL?

The Mat Rempits who endanger everyone on the road.

What is your favourite food?

Pasta tops the list and roasted chicken is always part of my daily diet. I love Indonesian food and the local kampung food especially assam pedas.

What do you do to relax?

I travel a lot to do fashion forecasts and am forever window-shopping for my new designs. I don't see it as work because I really love doing it. Occasionally, I'd go bowling in Ampang and play billiards.

What is your favourite place to hang out in KL?

There is a bar I go to often called Pulse at the Grand Millennium Hotel and also the Delicious restaurant at Bangsar Village II is conveniently near my boutique.

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