Javier’s Bad Hair Day February 26, 2008
Posted by mbak rita in fashion.1 comment so far
I am talking about that Javier, the one who has just won his first Oscar for a best supporting role in No Country for Old Men, Yes, Senor Javier Bardem. Well, he is one of the reason I agreed watching that movie during JIFFEST week, last December. A friend recommended No Country as a must see. I reluctantly said yes, because I am no fans for the Coen Brothers, I mean, their famous quirk humor is cool but bloodshed movies simply scare me away, big time!
Well, at least I can always enjoy Tommy Lee Jones in it, I believe, this old soldier, Uncle Tommy Lee, does indeed never die! And of course there was my darling Javier Bardem in that movie. Well, I fell in love to Javier about three years ago, also in JIFFEST (Jakarta International Film Festival) where I watched The Sea Inside, Oscar’s Best Foreign Language Film in 2005. A based on true story movie about a Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die. Javier played convincingly as Ramon, and I can’t forget his gesture when saying, “When you constantly rely on everyone else, you learn to cry by smiling, you know?” Oooh…….it simply melted my heart in an instant!
So I went for watching No Country for Old Men. But, yikes, I hated it! This movie scared me to death, I closed my eyes several times. Uncle Tommy Lee with his deep soliloquy–about dreaming his daddy who went nowhere but dark cloud– can’t help me. I even can’t follow the gems that written between the lines in those haunted dreams as the theme that refers to the movie’s title. I was simply too scared to think of anything..
What kept me being entertained on the show, ironically, was Javier. Well, at first I can’t recognize him at that time, his character as a cold blooded murderer Anton Chiqurh who wandered everywhere with a very strange weapon that IMDB said was “a captive bolt pistol, which is also known as a cattle gun. The tank itself is pressurized air. Releasing the air valve powers the bolt when triggered”, was the reason I desperately hold my breath. He was the monster of the show! But at the same time he kept me awaken because I simply can’t help to notice his funny wig. I bet, this is one of that famous signature of the Coen’s odd taste of humor. Well, yes I know that hairdo was a hip for the 80’s, the time setting for No Country, but the way Javier coiffed his hair was, for me, like a representation of the endless violence shown in the movie, that something good turned out bad and that it didn’t feel right. Or maybe, that was actually what it is all about? Because violence doesn’t have to be translating as bloodshed everywhere, an evil cut in your hair can simply speak so. Right?
By the way, congrats, Javier!
The Beatles van Java February 14, 2008
Posted by mbak rita in fashion, tv watch.4 comments
Meet The Cangcuters!
This new band, by the way “cangcut” means the brief, from Bandung has a strategically smart approach to steal a show by borrowing The Beatles old fashioned, (or is it very classic?), hairdo. And the funny show keeps going on. The Cangcuters not only adopt Lennon’s famous “half- of-coconut-shell-shaped” hairdo but also clone its English gentlemen attitude by always wearing a tailored suit in their music appearance. The “English lesson” even goes further as its lead singer shows off his Mick Jagger’s “ndower” signature lip every time the camera gets a close up shot.
Thank God, John Lennon has no chance to see The Cangcuters. He might wake up from his grave in a shock! And, maybe, he simply wants to join The Cangcuters, heh heh heh!
the power of red February 7, 2008
Posted by mbak rita in fashion, indonesiana, tv watch.5 comments
The best thing about living in Indonesia, the melting pot of all (mostly Asian) cultures, the “nusa-antara” or “between islands”, is the various holidays that we have. Last month we celebrate Islamic new Lunar Year and today it is the turn for the Chinese new Lunar Year or the Imlek Day. Millions of Chinese Indonesians will celebrate the Year of Rat with traditional barongsai dragon dance and a hope for a raindrop that, people said, represents good luck and prosperity.
Years ago when Imlek New Year was officially granted as a public holiday here, I managed to write an article about its traditional costumes. I made a call to fashion designer Chossy Latu who has a Chinese descend and famous for his cheongsam dresses for an interview. Chossy did mention about the power of red as the best choice for the Chinese big day because red represents courage and all the power to start such a long walk.
That’s why last year I wore red when being invited for an Imlek party in big restaurant. To my surprise, all of my Chinese Indonesian friends didn’t pick that color. Even, I was—with a male friend–the only ones who did wear red. Heh heh heh.
There goes the funny thing in this melting pot society. Those who have no Chinese heritage want to show a respect with wearing red while our Chinese Indonesians friends, in the other hand, simply want to celebrate the new year in a humble way, don’t want too much attention, by ignoring the eye catching red outfits. Look by yourself what I found on 2 live music shows today in our national TV stations; Indosiar and TPI. All the non Chinese Indonesian talent seems to underline the Chinese New Year by wearing red, but there is an empty red from the Chinese Indonesian artists’ side.
In Superstar Show (Indosiar TV) we have the two MCs with a very red tie (Eko Patrio) and red-and-gold-stripes-shirt (Ruben Onsu). There is also Judge Hetty Koes Endang with red headscarf & tunic while Judge Ari Tulang shows up with red shirt under his black suit. The performers are also rich with red (and all of its variant colors) for their costumes like those worn by Duo Maia and Happy Salma.
Even Okky Lukman who hosts the traditional Dangdut show called DangdutMania in TPI TV station is all red. The same thing goes to Dangdut judge Ira Swara and also adopted by co host in Dangdutmania, namely “Queen Mommy” Sophie Navita and “Princess” Kiki Amelia.
But look at Chossy Latu himself. The famous fashion designer who is acted as another judge for Superstar Show (a singing contest for celebrities in Indosiar TV Station), along with Hetty Koes Endang and Ari Tulang, doesn’t even having a single red in his outfit. Chossy humbly chooses a blend of dark silk with golden ball ornament for his shirt. The same rule goes to the famous Chinese Indonesian dr Sonia Wibisana who performs as contestant number 4, with her pal Vivi Buntaran. Dr Sonia and long haired Vivi pick yellow-orange-brown and silver with a little pink for their costumes. Not a single red is available on their stage. Funny, eh? I think it is a good sign, a warm communication from both sides, to honestly show each other a deep respect.
Gong Xi Fa Cai, Guys!
the jail brace January 19, 2008
Posted by mbak rita in fashion, indonesiana.5 comments
Actress Lydia Pratiwi was sentenced in jail last year, she got about 15 years in prison after proven guilty in Gonggom Hutagalung murder. Months in prison did make a change in her appearance. A couple of days ago Lydia was interviewed and abracadabra, now she has a brace. Wow, Indonesian prison must be very complete and luxurious with such trendy dental clinic inside. Cheers Lydia!
The Jenggot Look January 5, 2008
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It’s always fun to watch the Jakartans’ lifestyle. People with a getting- more- serious- fashion-consciousness is a wide phenomenon here, not just in the female department only, but working hard too to the guys.Oh yeah, that’s for sure, Baby.
I saw them on the street and was kind of amazed with their various (male) accessories. One of the strong male accessories that captured my eyes the most is their beard. Gee, those jenggot are so high on demand lately, among ten guys who walked across my seat, I can always find two
with haired chin. I said “hair” because sometimes the beard is simply so tiny and very pirang ler only heh heh heh. Those who are lucky with thick beard will find a way to make it more “kicking”. Yeah, look at Pepi Empat Mata, a local comedian here, (left) who has long beard and made it a ponytail. A friend, who met me in the afternoon, put another fancy stuff, a green ribbon, for his beard (right). Interesting, eh? So, who said that men are not so fashion oriented then?
Welcome to the new millennium, Baby!
The President’s new clothes: ‘SBY’ redefines his image August 9, 2006
Posted by mbak rita in fashion.Tags: Uncategorized
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The Jakarta Post, Monday, July 11. 2005
by Agni Amorita, Contributor/Jakarta
What is the most significant metamorphosis that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has undergone since taking up the presidency? He changed his wardrobe. Go to any search engine on the Internet to look for his pictures and the stark contrast between the image of President Susilo and minister Susilo will fast become apparent. During his tenure as a minister — both for president Abdurrahman Wahid and president Megawati Soekarnoputri — Susilo frequently wore baju safari, the “uniform” he gave up the day after he became president.
Baju safari was a popular outfit for those in power under Soeharto’s regime. Baju safari is a local term for a safari suit that consists of a hip-length short-sleeved jacket and matching trousers. Unlike the well-known safari jacket that has four pleated expansible pockets with a big belt and buckle, the baju safari jacket has no belt and only two patch pockets. It is easy to wear and apparently suited to this climate. Former president Soeharto loved this suit as did his men. Many people still associate baju safari with Soeharto’s semi-military regime.
Baju safari is thus regarded as a symbol of the military.
Susilo himself is a retired Army general. His military background was considered his biggest handicap in the presidential election last year given the fact that one of the goals of the 1998 reform movement that brought down Soeharto’s regime was to end the military’s supremacy.
In addition, many questioned Susilo’s contribution to the reform movement. He was far less popular than the four icons of the movement: Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
Luckily, Susilo had a good campaign team. It seems that well before he publicly announced he would run in the election his team was working hard to boost his profile. In the twinkling of an eye Susilo won public rapport.
After the election, his campaign team continued to work on his image. They carefully erased all memories of him as a military man that would tarnish the image of “reform-minded” Susilo, including his baju safari collection. Well done!
As a substitute for his favorite suits, Susilo looked to the west. He wore western-style suits almost all the time in the first 100 days of his presidency. He no longer wore short-sleeved jackets and rarely showed up without a tie as Vice President Jusuf Kalla often does. The suit is the perfect choice for an international meeting but not always suitable for an appearance at home.
While former South African leader Nelson Mandela wears batik with great aplomb, Susilo went the other way. He chose to wear dark suits with a white shirt and tie. Much to my amazement, he even showed up at mosques in a suit. During his first 100 days as President, he went to Istiqlal Mosque for two different ceremonies and wore a suit for prayers.
During his first 100 days he did wear batik at Ancol beach. Although, his choice was a long-sleeved batik shirt, which is a popular choice for formal occasions here. Most Indonesians go for a short-sleeved batik or even a T-shirt for a trip to the seaside. Well, he is a president, that is true, but does he have to dress up that much? He did not even roll up his shirt sleeves during his trip to the tsunami-devastated Aceh province.
In comparison, Chinese leaders for many years continued to wear a simple blue shirt known as the Mao suit, which was introduced by Dr. Sun Yat Sen in 1912. Just like Indonesia, China is a struggling nation with a rich tradition. Chinese leaders could always go for their traditional silk suits but their choice of the Mao shirt reflected their modest way of life, their solidarity with their people.
In view of Susilo’s penchant for western suits, a friend of mine cynically blamed Susilo’s media advisors for watching too many episodes of West Wing. A joke maybe, but given that Susilo’s “very close” relationship with the U.S. government has often sparked criticism, his choice of a western outfit could be seen as a validation for such criticism.
A man in a uniform is “a man at his best”, and Susilo may be under the impression that he is at his best in a black suit and tie.
In fact, dress sense could bring him closer to his people, many of whom are suffering economic hardships. To me, his choice of clothes during the first 100 days of his presidency isolated him so that rather than “we”, it is “you” the people and “me” the President. It was ironic, given that his campaign slogan was “Bersama kita bisa” (Together, we can do it).
Did Susilo’s military training leave him unaware of the power of fashion?
The President has looked different over the past month. The suits he loved to wear in the first 100 days of his presidency are rarely seen. He now shows up more frequently in batik. Has someone told him about the power of fashion? Is he trying to grab the attention of the public with his new clothes?
