Irene Saputra creates sophisticated, playful garments with vibrant embroidery — Colossal
Flowers, stars, leaves, eyes and countless patterns are transformed into flowing garments in Irene Saputra’s vibrant embroideries. The artist from South Jakarta, also known as Nengiren, repeats interesting themes Nona Kelsierwhich means “little woman” in Indonesian.
Saputra’s fashion-forward character can be described as a clothes hanger, who wears many bold outfits, some of which seem to have a personality of their own. Saputra often refers to these styles as OOTD, or Outfit of the Day, borrowing from a label historically used by fashion influencers on social media.
The faceless figure’s cropped bob and black boots were the only common denominators, as were the always symmetrical wide-leg pants or dresses that varied greatly. Through color, proportion and repetition, Saputra’s hand-sewn characters also harmonize and complement each other. Some, such as Arak Arakan Sepi The collection – which means “Quiet Parade” in Bahasa Indonesia – is more abstract and spherical, while others, such as “ARTSUBS”, depict more realistic garments.
Saputra draws from a background in graphic design and illustration and applies it to her fiber compositions. She conveys optimism and her own journey into motherhood through the lens of female fashion and personal expression. Find more information on Instagram.
