Indonesia a country known with more than 2000 islands and one of the largest developing countries in the world, Indonesia has also given birth to a lot of uprisings fashion designers in the global market and Selphie Bong is one of them, with collection available across the Middle Eastern and South East Asia, Selphie Bong has successfully made the brand to be the new darling within the Gulf socially.
Being Always ahead of time in 2006 Selphie Bong was the first to be Eco designers to represent Indonesia for United Nations Year of Biodiversity, also the initial few in Indonesia to start 0 waste fashion before the boom of green fashion in the country perceived to be the biggest batik producer.
This year Selphie Bong open up to be the early fashion house in Indonesia to have disability model to pose for the brand. It is a powerful move in the local fashion industry. None ever done it in Indonesia before, for some fashion houses in the developing regions, it’ is a very serious risk for a brand to be the first to make the move. But big risks come with a big purpose.
Selphie Bong mentioned in her blog about “Project Mimpi”, which means Dream Project in English, this photo shoot were meant to create an awareness for public, to have a better understanding for disability in Indonesia. Companies should be more open to disabilities, giving them chances to work, welcoming disabilities in the workplace with an open arm.
Selphie Bong has decided to work with Vanessa Wijaya, an 18 years old Indonesian girl with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture. As a sign of Cerebral Palsy, she also has a difficulty to walk and communicate, exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs and involuntary motions.
But Vanessa has a very good complexion, a good smile and features. Selphie cited that Vanessa is good at being in the camera. Although the pose may be limited and it may be hard for Vanessa to be a catwalk model, but Vanessa could be a beauty model.
Selphie Bong also wish that this Dream Project will be able to influence people’s hearts, “if Vanessa is able, so are other special needs sisters and brothers, if Selphie Bong is prepared to open up a chance, so do other companies”. Selphie Bong added, having a compassionate heart is needed in the harsh living of Indonesia, because the disability are still left behind here. Selphie Bong targeted there will be more Dream Project in the future plan.
So, what do you think of this project? Check out the video in the link below.
https://youtu.be/_GOQ9hryUII
To check out Selphie Bong work, check out her Instagram at @selphiebong or @ms.sbong
