During the third session of Digital Fashion Week Conversations, Singapore-based couture designer Jessicacindy Hartono shared with fashion enthusiasts her expertise in fashion: Bespoke Couture.
“Bespoke couture is a form of collectible art, a fashion investment from which quality and craftsmanship are top priorities,” she explained in the live interview at the virtual event.
Jessicacindy Hartono is the creative director of bridal and couture label “Jessicacindy”, a top fashion label in Singapore known across Asia for its signature feminine and dreamy aesthetic.
“Bespoke couture is more than just a garment. It is also an art keepsake that is representative of let’s say, a bride’s memories wearing the couture piece, and her feeling of empowerment and confidence, knowing a one of a kind couture is crafted specially for her,” the designer explained. “The whole experience is also a key factor in bespoke. It is not just buying clothes.”
Jessicacindy also highlighted that storytelling is a huge part of her creative process. “I see it as a necessity to incorporate an element of storytelling when designing and creating. Be it from real life– say taking reference from experiences of my clients– or a tale from my imagination. Storytelling in my creation just makes the end results so much richer and livelier.”
Just like any other creatives in the fashion industry, the designer has her share of adjustments in the time of pandemic.
“As much as I am known for my highly detailed creations, I am leaned to create more minimalist pieces these days especially with the current situation of the world. Nowadays, celebrations are kept simple– thus this white mermaid number in mikado silk,” Jessicacindy shared while doing a virtual tour of her newly renovated atelier. “Such creations are actually the true test of our craft as the fit in this has to be perfect. I experiment with sculptural shapes a lot more. The silhouette is an important aspect to me, followed by details and texture. I always strive to create pieces that showcase the best of the wearer.”
While touring the audience of Digital Fashion Week in her boutique, she shared that she herself has something to celebrate this year.
“In celebration of our tenth anniversary, we had a major revamp, and not just here at our boutique, but as a brand as well. The look now of my boutique is more aligned with my vision and mindset now. I wanted a really refreshing minimalist yet an organic look when clients step in– nothing to distract them from our craft and creations.”
Although there have been very obvious changes in the business of fashion, the designer noted that her company has been adapting quite well as they have been maximizing the power of virtual meetings for years now.
“I personally feel that we are adapting quite well as a fashion business brand as we are somehow prepared for it. Five years ago, we already had a strong workflow which we crafted for international clients. We took into consideration the amount of times they can visit us physically, or if they cannot visit at all. That’s why we incorporated correspondences done virtually. During our first year at that time , it was mostly via Skype. And now, during this pandemic, our process services usually catered to international clients have proven to be effective for our operations to survive these uncertain times. “
Indeed, in this uncommon times, one can still cement a dear memory with a fashion bespoke, with resilient fashion designers like Jessicacindy. In the business of fashion, the skill to bounce back, and quick, is the key for your fashion brands to thrive and survive despite harder days. “One of our goals is definitely expanding our reach further to more countries, for both our bespoke service and OTR collections,” JessicaCindy shared.
Personally, my key takeaway from this Digital Fashion Week Conversations segment is that we can still take pleasure from custom-made fashion, especially if it is for a special day, like a wedding. And when times get tough, some fashion creators are tougher and they can still deliver. Just look at Jessicacindy.
For more information about the Singapore-based fashion house, you may visit jessicacindy.com, as well as its Instagram page @jessicacindy_official.