Asian designer to watch: Toton Januar of TOTON

Very few designers leave an impact on me as much as Toton Januar does.

Ever since emerging on the Asian fashion scene, he never fails to impress – season after season.

For me, Toton represents what fashion is all about: strong identity – bringing something new and original to the table. It’s true, every idea in fashion might have been there before but until I set eye on his creative interpretations of various traditional-meets-modern aesthetics and sensibilities – I never knew there was still a lot to explore.

This goes to show that originality indeed does exist – and is coming from our own Asian designers nevertheless!

A big fan? Slightly more I would say. Being the proud owner of almost quarter of his first collection, the finale gown from his second, a few gorgeous pieces from his third –and having just pre-ordered my pick of the fourth and latest one – I can say I am probably a huge admirer of the work of this young designer whose talent and passion is one of the most profound I’ve ever encountered in the region.

But it’s not just the clothes I love about TOTON. It is in fact, the ideas that lie beneath and inspire Toton the designer to create these stunning pieces – and of course the exquisite craftsmanship which would look right at home at any luxury boutique, next to the big names out there.

Take for example his latest Fall/Winter 2014 collection. Inspired by memories which were triggered as the designer saw his late mother’s orchids blooming  – the collection plays on contrasting colour, texture and shapes which reflect what might be going on in someone’s head as they recall memories once one of their senses is stimulated.

From bright and colourful to black and white – the collection plays on contrast and randomness – just like the process of recalling memory is. The textures, abstract non-linear shapes embroidered in white on black chiffon, bright flowers and butterflies in 3D… what unifies this collection despite its aesthetic contradictions is a strong feeling, just like an idea which sometimes can make us smile and others cry.

From the traditional hand-woven Lagosi which originates from Sengkang area of South Sulawesi in Indonesia, to embroidery in the form of Orchids – both elements were integrated in this collection for personal reasons. As Toton explains: ‘those two things are the visual stimulant to bring back memories for me. Lagosi always reminds me of my childhood and all those local wedding celebrations, and as for Orchids, they are my mother’s, in her little garden in the backyard, which happen to be in full bloom the day she died.’

‘I want to portray the complex work of our mind when it comes to memory into the pieces. All the different aspects in one piece could be disastrous, but with the right balance it could be beautiful and exciting. So does the way our heads work, sometimes we remembering different memories at once but somehow all those memories are the ones that build us as a person.’ He adds.

Philosophical? I would say utterly honest and beautifully rendered into stunning works of art which I’ll leave you to browse in the images above – and get inspired just like I was!

TOTON is available at the following stockists worldwide. Keep posted on his latest news by following the facebook page.

Rana Wehbe