Indonesia
Talented Little Designer Joanne Andreas
Born of a designer mom, Joanne Andreas never intended to follow on Njo May Fen (Afen)’s footsteps as a designer. Her passion in fashion was naturally grown over time she watched Afen working with fabric, thread and patterns, since little. Now, at her 13 years old, Joanne’s creations are already worth notice by senior designer such as her mom.
What age did you start have eyes on designing, Joanne?
Since very young, maybe three or four years old. I always enjoyed watching mom cutting and sticking clothes like scrapbook. Mom even work the Christmas tree with curtain. It looked fun, so i started to try.
When did you begin serious?
Third grade. I learned to draw some pattern. I tried to imitate my doll’s clothes. I even worked on the stitching myself. I wonder where is it now…hihihi.
Third grade and already sewing? Weren’t you afraid of needles?
Well…my fingers were already familiar with blood since first grade. You know that we have tailor at home. I always wondered to watch what they did. They forbid me to approach, I came even closer. Eventually, my finger had it.
Did it stop you?
Not really…hahaha. I first made some serious clothing at fourth grade. I made the pattern, cut the fabric and put them together. Before that i only worked with simple stuffs like flowers or doll’s clothes.
You learned it all autodidact?
I join mom’s Pison Art n Fashion Foundation now. I take class that teaches to make skirt, upper cloth, trousers, dress, boy’s short and the like.
Your name is getting known well after SFP 2013. What’s the story of that? You were underage, right?
Right. I actually was too young for SFP. The minimum was 17, I was only 12 back then. The committee allowed me after I submitted my creation for cloth design kid’s category. But maybe it’s because I already qualified for all other requirement, so they just allowed me. What do you know, i made it into the final and selected as the winner. Good Lord.
How long did you prepare the design for the competition?
Well, it was a mess because the SFP was overlapping with Unas (national examination) of entering Junior High. I ended up installment on working on it. The final was the day before Unas. I came home with trophy in the evening, and in the morning i worked on Unas at school. That was thrilling.
But Unas success?
There wasn’t time for studying. Oh my. We had Bahasa Indonesia on the first day. It was quite success. I got 7.8, I’d say it was just about enough, but I was satisfied.
How’s Afen’s role in your career?
The most inspiring one. Mom fully supports me. Don’t take it wrong, she never spoiled me. Say that i have homework and i asked it around. Mom would have me carry on and finish it myself. There’s no such thing as getting mom to do it for me.
Great. So what’s the future plan?
I want to learn to become a make up artist too. Wish me luck!
Good luck, Joanne.
Amien, thanks.
BIOFACT
Name: Joanne Andreas
Born: Surabaya, April 15th 2001
School : Grade 8 Mawar Sharon Christion School Surabaya
Parents: Elizabeth Njo May Fen – Mukri Timin
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
