“Wanda.” All photos © Irene Saputra, shared with permission
Extravagant garments and quirky accessories adorn Irene Saputra’s characters encapsulating the boundless possibilities of fashion. The Tangerang, Indonesia-based embroidery artist, a.k.a. Nengiren, centers her work around dressing a nona kecil, or little woman.
Nengiren creates each character with no plan in mind. In the same way we might get dressed in the morning, she spontaneously designs the components of each figure’s outfit of the day, or “OOTD,” as she embroiders. She shares with Colossal:
Nona Kecil’s evolution mirrors my own journey as an artist. Initially, she adorned simple OOTDs with muted colors and straightforward patterns. However, the turning point occurred three years ago when I embraced motherhood. Balancing time between my son and art intensified my experimentation, leading Nona Kecil to explore more expressive and elaborate outfits.
With a graphic design background, illustration experience, and an interest in fashion, overarching motifs of typography, flashy patterns, color combinations, and texture guide the fabrication of each outfit, creating an array of harmonious looks. By way of vibrant threads and satin stitches, geometric shapes join together to construct a completely unique ensemble every time.
See more work on Nengiren’s Instagam, and keep an eye out for shop updates.
Detail of “Nona Kecil #OOTD, Kenny’s Private Collection”
“Kieran & Li”
Detail of “Nona Kecil #OOTD, Kenny’s Private Collection”
“Nona Kecil #OOTD, Spring Season Collection”
Detail of “Nona Kecil #OOTD, Kenny’s Private Collection”
Detail of “Nona Kecil #OOTD, Kenny’s Private Collection”
“Nona Kecil #OOTD, Worried Season Collection”
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