DIANA RIKASARI
Diana Rikasari, showed her collection on Thursday 10th October at Vancouver Fashion Week SS20. I wrote a post prior to the opening of Vancouver Fashion Week called “See Why Vancouver Fashion Week Is The Place To Be.” In this post I covered some of the up coming designers that would be showcased at VFW, it included Diana Rikasari.
In my research , I was excited by this young Indonesian designer, Diana Rikasari. Her bright colorful designs are both fresh and full of energy. What she brought to Vancouver Fashion Week was a heartfelt collection about her son’s autism here is her statement about it :
DIANA RIKASARI
“As a mother of an autistic son, I struggle in explaining to other people how complicated and delicate life has become for me and for our family. Our son is the most special in our little world, but within our world, he holds a world of his own too, maybe smaller, but possibly even bigger than ours. We don’t know. I guess I will never know myself. But every day I learn to understand his world a little, inch by inch, second after second. I am learning to see how he views the world surrounding his little bubble, understanding why he does the things he do, and why he doesn’t do the things we usually do.
In fact I had an epiphany that answered the many questions inside my head. I have always been thinking to myself, “what is the best way to express this situation of ours, of mine, just to shed some light to others of what autism is, what we go through, and what he goes through?”. And so it became a mission of mine to explain to the world about all these meaningful experiences we are going through, through fashion.
“J’Aime l’Autisme” is a tribute to my son, and my debut in raising awareness about autism in an open, accessible and positive way. It’s not that complicated, really. It’s just a feeling that is rather deep, but bearable, and shareable.”
– Diana Rikasari
DIANA RIKASARI THE COLLECTION
“J’Aime l’Autisme”
The models appear on the runway with blue expressionless faces. The collection uses fabrics that are sheer and fragile by nature. Childlike drawings are placed on the models like a collage applied to their bodies. One has colorful hands reaching while others are decorated with hearts. This collection is about feelings, mood and expression.
While one might see strength the other might see vulnerability. The colors are bright red, pink and turquoise blue melded together with soft muted pastels. What appeared was a delicate balance, a strange harmony and a strong sense of stillness and beauty. The hearts and outstretched arms are symbols of love and caring and convey those emotions.
♥ DIANA RIKASARI ♥
Rikasari has put together a presentation that is moving and sensitive. While. none of us truly understand the world of autism it is our world too. What happened in this show for me was an invitation to look into this world. Peering in, did not make it seem so strange, but curiously peaceful. I was inspired to learn more about autism and encourage others to do so. The more we know the less we fear, and the more we know the better we are prepared to engage and support individuals and families dealing with autism. Please follow the link to learn more and contribute to autism. I would like to thank Diana for sharing her families story with us.
https://autismcanada.org/get-involved/host-an-event/
Please check-out the work of Diana Rikasari.
