Despite being a relative newcomer to the fashion scene,
Indonesian designer Tex Saverio has already made a name for himself as
something of a rock star in the industry.
At a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, the designer, who is usually referred to as Rio, announced he will be soon launching his own ready-to-wear label, “Tex Saverio.”
Rio said he acknowledged the challenge this step will bring, which is why he has temporarily stopped doing fashion shows in order to focus on rebuilding his business.
For starters, Rio is this year relocating the Tex Saverio Prive boutique from West Jakarta to Central Jakarta. As for retail, Rio said he and his team are looking at a 12- to 18-month plan.
“I know I will be needing a very strong support system, so I have been working on that,” he said. “When you enter the world of ready-to-wear, it does not just mean design, but also business, and I can’t do it as a one-man show.”
Rio started his career as a fashion designer in 2010 with his label “Tex Saverio Prive.”
His fantasy-driven, opulent collections have even been drawing attention from Hollywood stars. When pop icon Lady Gaga was reported to have worn his design, Rio’s popularity skyrocketed. The latest celebrity to wear one of his designs was reality TV starlet Kim Kardashian, photos of which will reportedly be printed in Elle US magazine’s March edition.
Rio’s designs are famous for their dramatic and theatrical styles. He said that these details, somewhat of a trademark, will be kept for his ready-to-wear collections in which he will be releasing jackets, pants and cocktail dresses.
The biggest challenge, he explained, comes in the manufacturing process, as he won’t be able to feature his own handmade details.
Warren Liu, Rio’s business partner, said Rio’s designs are quite challenging when it comes to production.
“It’s challenging because Rio’s designs are intricate and he has to transform that into daily wear,” Warren said.
Yet Rio doesn’t shy away from challenges. Tackling them means being one step closer to fulfilling his dreams.
“My vision for my ready-to-wear label is fantasy made reality,” Rio said.
In order to expand his business, Rio is now working with Warren and Faye Liu, whose family has been in the business of manufacturing and apparel trading for over 30 years.
Faye said she is a long-time client and friend of Rio. The Hong Kong-based businesswoman first discovered Tex Saverio through US shopping websites and fashion blogs. Rio was the first Indonesian designer to ever attract Faye’s interest, despite her having lived in Jakarta for eight years.
“I like shopping and am a particular consumer,” she said. “I understand what I want and this is how I can grow the business.”
Faye is currently the managing director of Saverio & Liu Limited, the company that she and Rio started in December last year to expand the business.
Warren will be managing the overseas market, adding he is hoping to close deals with class-A stores in European fashion capitals including London and Paris.
Faye said they are also looking at the Asian market, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Japan and South Korea. In Hong Kong, “Tex Saverio” will be available at Lane Crawford.
As for the Indonesian market, the team is looking at a potential deal with Galeries Lafayette, an upmarket French department store, which will be opening at Pacific Place mall later this year.
Rio said he will be presenting an installation of his ready-to-wear label at the grand launch of the high-end department store, but the first of his spring and summer collections won’t be debuted until this year’s Jakarta Fashion Week.
Faye and Warren said the future of Jakarta as a fashion capital is looking bright. At the moment, the leading countries in the fashion business for Southeast Asia are Thailand and Singapore. Indonesia is slowly improving its performance after Jakarta Fashion Week, which has seen a rise of international buyers in recent years.
At a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, the designer, who is usually referred to as Rio, announced he will be soon launching his own ready-to-wear label, “Tex Saverio.”
Rio said he acknowledged the challenge this step will bring, which is why he has temporarily stopped doing fashion shows in order to focus on rebuilding his business.
For starters, Rio is this year relocating the Tex Saverio Prive boutique from West Jakarta to Central Jakarta. As for retail, Rio said he and his team are looking at a 12- to 18-month plan.
“I know I will be needing a very strong support system, so I have been working on that,” he said. “When you enter the world of ready-to-wear, it does not just mean design, but also business, and I can’t do it as a one-man show.”
Rio started his career as a fashion designer in 2010 with his label “Tex Saverio Prive.”
His fantasy-driven, opulent collections have even been drawing attention from Hollywood stars. When pop icon Lady Gaga was reported to have worn his design, Rio’s popularity skyrocketed. The latest celebrity to wear one of his designs was reality TV starlet Kim Kardashian, photos of which will reportedly be printed in Elle US magazine’s March edition.
Rio’s designs are famous for their dramatic and theatrical styles. He said that these details, somewhat of a trademark, will be kept for his ready-to-wear collections in which he will be releasing jackets, pants and cocktail dresses.
The biggest challenge, he explained, comes in the manufacturing process, as he won’t be able to feature his own handmade details.
Warren Liu, Rio’s business partner, said Rio’s designs are quite challenging when it comes to production.
“It’s challenging because Rio’s designs are intricate and he has to transform that into daily wear,” Warren said.
Yet Rio doesn’t shy away from challenges. Tackling them means being one step closer to fulfilling his dreams.
“My vision for my ready-to-wear label is fantasy made reality,” Rio said.
In order to expand his business, Rio is now working with Warren and Faye Liu, whose family has been in the business of manufacturing and apparel trading for over 30 years.
Faye said she is a long-time client and friend of Rio. The Hong Kong-based businesswoman first discovered Tex Saverio through US shopping websites and fashion blogs. Rio was the first Indonesian designer to ever attract Faye’s interest, despite her having lived in Jakarta for eight years.
“I like shopping and am a particular consumer,” she said. “I understand what I want and this is how I can grow the business.”
Faye is currently the managing director of Saverio & Liu Limited, the company that she and Rio started in December last year to expand the business.
Warren will be managing the overseas market, adding he is hoping to close deals with class-A stores in European fashion capitals including London and Paris.
Faye said they are also looking at the Asian market, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Japan and South Korea. In Hong Kong, “Tex Saverio” will be available at Lane Crawford.
As for the Indonesian market, the team is looking at a potential deal with Galeries Lafayette, an upmarket French department store, which will be opening at Pacific Place mall later this year.
Rio said he will be presenting an installation of his ready-to-wear label at the grand launch of the high-end department store, but the first of his spring and summer collections won’t be debuted until this year’s Jakarta Fashion Week.
Faye and Warren said the future of Jakarta as a fashion capital is looking bright. At the moment, the leading countries in the fashion business for Southeast Asia are Thailand and Singapore. Indonesia is slowly improving its performance after Jakarta Fashion Week, which has seen a rise of international buyers in recent years.
Source: www.thejakartaglobe.com
