events Category
I took 2,5 weeks off. From projects, from LA, from the U.S. Packed two suitcases for myself and my daughter and off we went to our other hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia. Life was busy in October with LA Fashion Week, an event with the Indonesian Consulate at the Grove called “Discover Wonderful Indonesia” and our Halloween bash with Justin118 team. Through it all I stopped blogging. I did try but sitting there in front of WordPress blank screen, nothing came out. Call it blogger’s block or perhaps exhaustion… either way, it wasn’t good. The events were good but I had nothing left in me to write about them.
LA Fashion Week at Sunset Gower Studio
Mrs McM and I unfortunately had to say no to most of the fashion parties we were invited to. We had to get ready for an event with the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Los Angeles at the Grove called “Discover Wonderful Indonesia”. I assisted with stage programs and together with Mrs McM, Martini and Milk set up a booth for children where Mrs McM had a storytelling session and we had kids draw and play with us. Two days straight from morning to early evening. Many of the children came back on the second day, we got hugs and kisses from these little ones. We were so touched and so in love with them…
Mrs McM reading Timun Emas (the Golden Cucumber) at the Grove, Martini and Milk booth for kids (pic Medi Irawan)
Jaipong (Pic by Medi Irawan)
Five days after this amazing cultural event at the Grove, we went straight and worked with Justin118 guys for a Halloween bash at Senor Fish in Little Tokyo, downtown LA.
Cirquedulicious Halloween Bash
There was some sort of an unintentional after party at my loft after the Halloween bash. When people left at 5am, one of the partners I worked with asked how I was doing. I think I said, “tired”. And I think that was the first time that whole month I realized how exhausted I was. October was the month with very little sleep. I was very thankful for all the events and the people I met and worked with in October but a part of me was also glad that October was over. This means I get to go home and be with my Dad. Ever heard that line from the movie Grease, ” The only man a girl can trust is her daddy…”? Well… if you live 10,000 miles apart from the man you love and trust in the whole world, there comes a time that you just want to put your head on his shoulder and honestly tell him, “Daddy… I’m exhausted.” Because even when you’re having fun and loving your work, life still kicks you in the ass and you could use a break from it all…
To be continued in ‘Voyage’… 
With much love,
Lolo K. Sosronegoro
We did it. We had another event at the Last Bookstore here in downtown LA on September 10th, 2011. It was an afternoon of bringing a flavor of Indonesia to our community. We partnered with Reves Doux and Simpang Asia and we put on a fashion show of our own children’s collection (TAWA and Angel Kid), a storytelling of an Indonesian folk tale “The Legend of Lake Toba” (illustrations by Irma Hardjakusumah) and a fashion show of Reves Doux women’s collection. The audience got a chance as well to sample Indonesian food, prepared by Simpang Asia, and to see Balinese dances performance by Casey’s group of dancers.
As always, our love and gratitude to those who have supported our efforts in sharing our Indonesian culture and stories to our communities. Pictures in this blog are taken by Victor Halim.
Our poster and flyer, designed by Irma Hardjakusumah
The set up and lay out at the Last Bookstore, an Indonesian traditional mat “tikar” were added around the stage
Balinese Dance by Cassey’s Group
So proud of our little models! Left: Caitlin in TAWA dress, Charlize in Angel Kid dress. Right: Keira & Audrey, both in TAWA outfits. TAWA is a line picked out by our New York blogger Dhania Moore
Suzanne Roring Wolozny reading “The Legend of Lake Toba”
Part of Audience, the above and below pics by Anne Adhitjahjono
Simpang Asia cafe corner, menu: bento boxes of Indonesian food. Yuummm.
Reves Doux fashion show, incorporating batik scarves in the outfits
End of “Show & Tell”. Thank you all for your amazing support!
Until next event and collaboration!
Much love,
L
We all love quotes, some more so than others. The quote this summer for me is one from Irma Hardjakusumah, our Martini and Milk honorary member of the tribe. We were at a meeting with John Kern from the Last Bookstore for our “Show and Tell” event next month, discussing lights and screen and projector. I had mixed feelings about how much light coming in, whether I love or hate it. I was actually feeling both (this woman is a Pisces, opposite emotions pull and come together like crazy some days) and Irma wisely said, “We love the space and the vibe. Let’s not fight this light, let’s work with it.” (This is why you keep a female Scorpio around, she understands the human mind and keeps you grounded)
Show & Tell flyer, by Irma Hardjakusumah
Everybody has different profound moments. Mine was there and then. Fighting is good, but when your life has been too much of a fight then maybe it’s a sign or a confirmation… that you’re not meant to live that way anymore. Maybe it’s time to really live your life the way you have always imagined it to be, let light comes in and shines through.
Forest Food Truck, Outside Lands Fest, SF
Rest of the summer we continue to work and play. Mrs McM and I helped with the Indonesian Festival in Los Angeles. She danced a contemporary number from the province of West Java and I produced the fashion show featuring traditional Indonesian weave cloths. The chance of working and assisting big names from Indonesia such as the choreographer Ari Tulang and Alfonsa Horeng, the woman who tirelessly work on preserving Indonesian ikat (weave) tradition, was one I am grateful of.
The dancers interviewed by Indra Bekti, filmed by Ari Tulang for Indonesian TV
Left to right: Dian McManus, Putri Sarnadi and Sandra Kosasih
All of the models with Ari Tulang, the choreographer of the show
With Alfonsa Horeng, I LOVE everything she had on!
We took sometime off after Indo Festival. Irma went to Jakarta & Lombok, Mrs McM went to New York and I (with the help of my good friend Thy who kindly did ‘Auntie Camp’ for Cait so I could have a weekend break) went to Outside Lands Music Festival in San Fransisco.
We took the fun Dodo bus to get to after party, also a fund raise effort for Burning Man!
Dinner & Opera in the Forest, Outside Lands Fest, SF
This summer, I took time off and did intense Mommy camp with Cait where we worked on her reading skill. Mommy camp was intense… Asian moms are like warlords. We may be soft spoken but we don’t take “I can’t” for an answer. Whenever she said, “Mommy, I can’t!” I simply said, “We’re going to try again then. From the top my love.”
Cait, Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica
Mommy camp taught us both patience and perseverance. We learned that with effort and time, you get to be perfect. People get to be good in what they do because they practice, practice and practice some more. In between perfecting your craft, go take a walk, go take care of yourself, go enjoy your family and friends, go eat good food. And then go back and work again. Balance.
Cait contributed her drawing on ‘Art Heals’ wall, Bloom Fest, Downtown LA
Before the summer ends, Mrs McM and threw a party for our friends and vendors. Despite the crazy parking situation in my neighborhood (there was a festival going on at the same time), we had a great turn out. We are blessed with supportive friends and community. I wanted to thank all of you for your support of what we do, you guys are great!
Left to right: Jade Herwill of MWAH (feathers accessories), Luvina (modeling for us), Lolo, Suze Wolozny (founder of Goddess Vortex), Murni Lubis (Dian’s loving and sweet mom), Dian McManus, Lisa Chin (Designer & Partner, Fallen Into Vintage)
Mrs McM and I with some of our guests
Summer ain’t over yet. We have a fashion show and a storytelling event coming up, which we’re super excited about. As for now, I’m gonna go treat my little one for a manicure as her reward for a week of awesome piano practice!
Lots of love,
L
I believe in telling stories to children. I believe in sharing wonderful stories I grew up with. My Dad shared his with me and it became a bond between us. A world where we speak the same language without boundaries, even when I was going through my most difficult- most emotional teen years. Do you know the feeling of being on the same page with your old man, understanding why he is the way that he is and you are able to accept that fully and completely? Pure happiness if you ask me.
Indonesian folk tales, rewriting them in a language that my daughter and her friends understand became a passion. And a mission. I wasn’t told Mahabharata in Javanese or Sanskrit. But my knowledge of it, my understanding of the complexity of the characters and the stories, I am proud to say, is as deep if not deeper than anyone who speaks Javanese fluently. I thank every single story tellers of my childhood. I wish to do the same as they did for me. Giving stories.
I translated two folk tales, Timun Emas and Malin Kundang, Dian McManus edited them and Irma Hardjakusumah drew the beautiful illustrations. Together with Bengkel Amal, Verten Media and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Los Angeles we collaborated on a beautiful storytelling event on May 15th.
Angelina Handayani reading ‘Timun Emas’, the Golden Cucumber
Suzanne Roring-Wolozny reading ‘Malin Kundang’
It was a lovely event. We had balinese dances amazingly performed by Cassey dance group. They have a class every Saturday morning at the Indonesian Consulate in Los Angeles. Thank you!
Everyone involved in the project. Thank you all so much.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much for everyone involve in this project. This is the beginning. There will be a lot more. You will be able to get these stories here on our site. There are still a lot to do and we are very excited! Til next event…
We had a GREAT time with all of our friends, old and new!! Thank you everyone for coming to the event. We had fun! Thank you Confection Jewels girls: the super chic talented Yanique and her fierce sales rep Elke. Thank you DJ WAVEGOD for awesome music. Thank you Patrick for the photobooth! Love ya guys, til next pop-up shop…
thank you girls for support, love!
Mrs McM and Irma, honorary member of Martini and Milk
some of the crowd. it was such a cozy party.
Double fierceness… Mrs McM & Elke!!
Andrew, DJ WAVEGOD
WAVEGOD crew
Can’t you tell we love our Ang of SoAngel? Hello to you too Patrick of King Baby!!
The Fred Segal Graduates Stick Together. I love you girl!!
