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27 Jul 2017
Indonesian Fashion Designer, Peggy Hartanto, Enters the Global Market
When fashion designer Peggy Hartanto attended her first class at Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Sydney, she was worried that she might not survive the college experience in Australia.
But Peggy’s not one to give up easily.
Today the Peggy Hartanto label, which is known in Indonesia for exquisitely-crafted and bold design, has made its debut internationally. Her high-end and ready-to-wear pieces have attracted many American celebrities, including E! Channel acclaimed Fashion Police TV co-host Giuliana Rancic and actress Odette Annable at the Golden Globes Awards after party.
“I was so happy. At first I couldn’t believe it. It was a dream come true when you see someone famous wearing your design,” said 27-year-old Peggy.
Her recent achievement marked a milestone in her career, Peggy has been listed in the prestigious 2016 Forbes list of the 30 under 30 in Asia in the category of the arts. She was one of the two Indonesians who made it into the list under the arts category.
Peggy has a brand representative in a showroom in Los Angeles. Her label was born in 2011 at the Rosemount Australia Fashion Week in Sydney, Australia, only three years after she graduated from Raffles. Born and raised in Surabaya, Peggy recently won the Young Designer of Australian Indonesian Award.
Peggy attributes her success to her time studying in Sydney, to perseverance and her work ethic, and to understanding all aspects of the business – all while maintaining the quality and originality of her designs.
“In Raffles College of Design and Commerce, I had wonderful mentors who always challenged my limits. They taught me not to be proud too quickly of what I had created, but to improve with every task,” said Peggy.
Later Peggy found that learning from college was not enough. “I joined several competitions to enrich my experience, skills and knowledge. But I guess the most important thing I learnt was about work ethic. It is important not to give up easily when faced with difficult problems,” she added.
Her inspiration comes from the detailed simplicity and minimalist style of Australian fashion design. She had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when she interned then was accepted as a staff member for Collette Dinnigan, who is best known for bridal wear and gorgeous frocks that are fit for the red carpet. Dinnigan was the first Australian to be invited to show at the official Haute Couture week in Paris.
Working for Dinnigan in the Quality Control, Production department, and helping in the Design department “shaped my work ethic while I’m starting my own business,” said Peggy.
As part of her efforts to expand her label in Australia, she got a rare chance to see the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, where she met key figures in the global fashion industry as well as potential buyers. She is now is gearing up for the 2016 Jakarta Fashion Week in October.
In 2015, she was selected as a finalist at the Grazia Next Glam Award, an international competition aimed for emerging designers around the world.
She admitted that she still has a long way to go to leave her stamp on the global fashion industry. “But I think we are moving in the right direction,” she said. “My proudest moment was when I saw my parents’ happy faces celebrating my accomplishments.”
To find out more of Peggy’s label, visit her website at www.peggyhartanto.com
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