Mardiana Ika

ABali Fashion Week cannot detach with Mardiana Ika, the designer who actualize and suggest a brilliant idea about this event. It is as an internationally annual routine event since 2000, and this forth Bali Fashion Week will extend on 13 – 15 September 2003, at Bali Intercontinental Resort, Jimbaran.
“Besides promoting Bali’s products, Bali Fashion Week also gives an opportunity to the business agency to held a contact with international consumer,” said Mardiana Ika, cover girl of Femina Magazine in 1970’s.
According to Ika, Bali Fashion Week exactly becomes a perfect event to promote tourism. “It is important, especially after bomb-blast tragedy of Kuta 12 Oktober”.
This designer who born on Sumatra, 22 June 1952 and stayed in Bali explained that before entering fashion mode, she occupied in painting art. Afraid of cannot afford the painting anymore, she switch to fashion designer. Once, she ever asked being a model, but she refuses it. “I was more attracted being a designer,” said this charming lady who ever following for education in Hong Kong (1977), London (1978), and Berlin (1979).
For her hard works and achievements in fashion mode, Mardiana Ika ever invited by the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, on last August 2003. At that time, Ika had been trusted to perform a solo fashion show in South Africa. By Mandela, the solo fashion show of Mardiana Ika was as part of social fund aggregation, especially for AIDS victims in South Africa. On that event, Ika presented her best designs made from Indonesian cloth material, like batik, ikat woven, endek, songket, and bordir compound with modern design.
“ Typical archipelago’s textile much admired and loved in South Africa. It shown that people usually wear batik or woven blouse while attending several formal activities,” said Mardiana Ika who also as the leader of Moda Bali Association.
As fashion designer, Mardiaka Ika had travel abroad for several times. She ever followed fashion show in Beijing (March 2003). This event also presented by former heavy weight boxing champion Evander Hollyfield. After the performance, Ika confesses gaining a lot of design order from boutiques owner in several town in China.
According to her, boutique owner of that country order about 1.500-2.000 pieces for each design. However, she indirectly agrees with that order, because she has an interest to corporate with local entrepreneur with percentage system. “For example, they provide for boutique stall, while I provide with clothing. So, we are sharing and the boutique specially sell my cloth design,” said Ika who also ever show off her designs in Shanghai, Milan (Italy), Hong Kong, Ghuangzou.
As international designer, her days always filled with efforts of seeking new idea for fashion style. “For being trusted as designer or coordinator in national or international fashion show should available with a brand new idea,” said this kindly designer. (BTN/015)