Karin Wijaya is a storyteller.
One might know her as a stylist, writer, or editor. But at the core, especially when Karin is aloneand at peace with herself, she reflects, reads, and crafts something. She is a storyteller.
Karin welcomed us at her nest in Ubud, with arem-arem and lemper served on the table, all in aterrace to simply unwind.
Could you tell us your journey?
I always love experimenting, crafting a story or a concept. So I decided to study communicationin college. But then life brought me to the world of print publication; where I started as a stylist then editor. I was offered an internship at A+ magazine, then I worked full time there. From A+,then I worked at Dewi as an editor.
How was the shift from stylist, editor, and costume designer?
Life has always offered me something through some people. Maybe they saw a potential in me that I did not see at that time. I got the opportunity to design the costume for Ali & Ratu - Ratu Queens. It was such a bliss for me. I never knew that I would enjoy it so much.
What sparked the enjoyment of costume designing for you?
The sense of creating and experimenting! I had to read the whole story, imagining how the characters would develop their style, their look, and how each character navigated their parts. I love this job! It makes total sense for me; it’s like being a writer. I mean I had always wanted to write a book.
Oh what do you want to write?
Fiction. I love writing short stories with random drawings, but I have not done that in a while. Originally, I wanted to be a fiction writer.
So this is kind of close?
In a way; yes. Through costume designing, I express myself; developing senses and creating stories. You really have to create a new world and make it believable.
What project makes you excited these days?
Theatre! Last year, I worked on and styled the costumes for over 200 people for a musical concert called Memeluk Mimpi-Mimpi. It was a concert presented by the oldest musical school in Indonesia; SMK 2 Kasihan Yogyakarta, and was organised by Titimangsa.
What did you feel to do all that styling for a theatre?
It was a humbling experience to me as I was able to work with such talented people; not just technique wise, but also in the sense of connecting with their emotions. I think when it comes to performance art, you can still feel how organic it feels as it takes a live collaboration with so many people. Everything happens as you see it with such minimal involvement of technology; nothing depends on AI. That was why I had 7 assistants helping me to style everyone involved in the performance, exactly in 3 minutes. However the most challenging part is not the amount of people, but the feeling of letting go.
As in?
In films, you can retake the scene and fix the costume. But on the stage, the costume is no longer yours. It belongs to the character, the story, the stage, and the audience. The audience takes part in it too. Regardless, I felt full doing it.
What makes you feel full?
The energy! I love the energy of theatre people. They are very proud of their voice and their body yet so humble. They are works of art themselves.
Next, what are you looking forward to?
I would love to do period drama. I know it will take some time to do the research. But I really am interested in knowing and putting the “things” together; like what buttons or miscellaneous did they use, what kind of ribbon or tie, and how did they tie it. Then comes the hair-do and evencolors for a certain period of time.
One of my goals is to design more experimental costumes and installations for performance art, while challenging myself to explore storytelling styles and new aesthetics.
What’s a styling tip you’d give for someone who lives in or visits Bali - knowing that the micro weather in Bali is crazy; from the coldness of Bedugul to humid Ubud and sunny Canggu?
Wear linen. You can play and explore, adjust it to your own style. When cold, it gives warmth, but when it’s hot outside, it's breathable so you feel cool. Plus, it is quick-dry. So you can wash it, hang it dry, and wear it the next day.
Written by Prinka Saraswati
Photo by Tammy