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“This is what I have been wanting to do since I was a kid. I knew that making beautiful dresses is my passion.” -Jeannifer Tirtamarta
Jeannifer Tirtamarta is redefining the traditional luxury couture industry by creating timeless made-to-order gowns for her eponymous bridal house. Born in Jakarta, Tirtamarta’s future was shaped early on by her family's nightly pastime of watching television. She was ten when she discovered Fashion Television (FTV). “That night, Elie Saab couture show was on, and that was when I fell in love” states the designer, “And I knew from that time that I wanted to make gorgeous gowns!" Inspired by this realization she took up courses in fashion while in high school at Instituto Di Moda Burgo.
In 2014, Tirtamarta moved to San Francisco, California to study fashion at the Academy of Art University to see her dream to fruition. At the academy she specialized in womenswear design, textiles, and embroidery, However, during her college years, she took a turn in her fashion influences and ended up designing her senior collection around sustainable streetwear. “I think moving to the States and the trend at that moment really shaped me into streetwear direction rather than eveningwear.”
Her senior collection focused on repurposed billboard tarps cut into modern androgynous silhouettes. The blue, yellow, and white graphics provided a stark contrast from the predominantly dark pieces. She showed her collection at New York Fashion Week and was named by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) as its 2018 Fashion Future Graduate Designer. During her time off from school, she stayed productive with design internships for SOA Jakarta and Hellessy.
After graduating, she received multiple internship offers and eagerly moved to New York to pursue a fashion design internship with Marchesa, before moving into a full-time role with the brand. “It was one month into my internship in Marchesa and they had an open position as a junior creative pattern maker.” Tirtamarta explains, “The design director then told me about this opening and asked if I was interested. I applied and finally got the job!”
One of her proudest moments came during her time at Marchesa, when her mother, a fashion enthusiast, finally wore one of her creations. “I was happy when she finally got my dress from Marchesa and will be even happier when she wants me to make a custom one for her!" Tirtamarta explains,
Tirtamarta left Marchesa in 2019 and moved back to Jakarta, Indonesia to start her own bridal house, which makes exclusive made-to-order gowns. While she admits starting her business was hard at first, she credits her parents with helping her learn the ropes. Her passion for making custom gowns comes from her love of dressing up for special occasions. “I guess these are times when you can dress up to make statements or just be experimental about it,” Tirtamarta states, “When you pick out a gown, it’s mostly for a special occasion.”
The couturier differentiates herself by knowing her customers. “My designs come from their stories and I always try to keep the identity of my clients in the dresses,” states the designer with a penchant for modern femininity. “By creating custom gowns, I can help my clients to achieve the looks or to help her experiment confidently through her gowns.”
Just one glimpse at the Jean Tirtamarta website and you are transported to a world of effortless luxury. Her Ethereal Spring/Summer 2020 gowns feature delicate fabrics, unfussy silhouettes, and flawless details. In one image you witness an exquisite white gown with three-dimensional blooming petite white organza flowers that cascade across the shoulder down to the full, sumptuous tulle skirt and accentuate the waistline. The corset bodice peeks through the sheer tulle creating a soft highlight of the decolletage.
One image showcases a lace inset on a silky deep v-neckline dress with a waterfall-draping high-slit skirt with a streamlined silhouette. Another exquisite gown has a gorgeously intricate mandarin collar with an embroidered floral motif. The exaggerated hemline creates a modern twist to a traditional evening dress. All Tirtamarta creations are designed with the wearer in mind and each is as unique as the next, which makes them the perfect addition to any bride’s special day.
Her evening gowns typically take half a month to complete, while a bridal gown can take at least three months. The modiste finds inspiration every day through fabrics, art, and color combos while staying motivated by her family, team, and her frencFrenchh bulldog Raisin (@frenchietheraisin). However, her biggest inspiration is seeing her custom creations come to life, and the spark of joy it brings to her clients. The fashion maven still adores Elie Saab and continues to be inspired by the newest collections from Oscar de La Renta and Ralph & Russo.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected her business as weddings and other social gatherings are very uncertain. “We got a lot of wedding dates changed every time,” Tirtamarta states, “The most difficult challenge for me nowadays would be time management.”
Right now, Tirtamarta only accepts orders in Indonesia and surrounding areas such as Singapore and Malaysia, but you can follow her brand on Instagram @jeantirtamarta and her dog (@frenchietheraisin). To view the whole collection please visit the brand's website here. You can also chat with her via Whatsapp which can be found in her Instagram bio.
*All photos courtesy of Jeannifer Tirtamarta
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