This Interview features Hakim Wijaya and his journey within the Fashion and Design Industry. We also asked him how his religion became one of his main inspirations when creating his Final Year Project.
So Hakim, could you briefly explain to us what your background is, in terms of your major and what interests you in the Fashion Industry.
I started with a Diploma in Fashion Communications, and from there I honed in on my skills through working as a Visual Merchandiser before doing my BA Tons Degree in LASALLE College of the Arts.
Expressing myself visually has always been something I identified with most. Through that, I did everything from photography, styling and art directing. I fell in love with the process — like looking for the right clothes, location, props and many others — everytime I started working on a project in school or during my Internships or Job Placements. I can’t imagine myself doing something if it is not going to be beautiful.
What kind of work do you identify with most in terms of either Fashion, Art or Design for example?
All of the above. Sometimes Fashion can be quite like an Island, and people can be unaccepting of other areas of the creative spectrum — not budging, living in their ivory towers — but I think that, more and more, we are learning that in this Digital Age, we have to work with everybody to create something unique and brilliant.
As a Future Designer and Creator, what is your favourite theme or concept to work with? And since we are on this topic, what are your favourite things or “mediums” to work with?
For me, there is no theme that I choose to work with every time I start on a project. However, I love mixing different mediums like fine art, music and film. In fashion, you see these mediums come together, to create something unique and brilliant. It always starts with a visual and thinking, like ‘Ok, how would this look like as a film? What would be the perfect score to compliment it?’
Like most artists and designers, what or who often influences the way you work and what you do?
Mainly my family, and people in music, fashion and film that I followed growing up. To name a few, John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo and Raf Simons.
So what is your project?
Dia is my brand and an exhibition that will be entitled, ’First Feminists: Exploring new modesty’. And it’s an Exhibition that will be held from the 22nd of April to the 25th of April at the Aliwal Arts Centre.
What inspired you into creating this project?
Growing up as a Muslim boy loving fashion and seeing figures of my life inculcating the religion into their lives. I just observe and apply it to the exhibition. Not entirely but the idea stems from my life growing up, and how it differs from then and now.
What was important to you when creating this project? And how does your project contribute to the current social or political issues?
What’s important is for the audience to understand the message and narrative behind the exhibition, and for them to learn something and pay it forward.
For the next question, I hope my project inspires people that religion is something that you can’t merely inherit. You need to learn it and apply it wherever is necessary in your life. Social media helped get the message out to a broader audience but it can also be easily misunderstood. I hope to cultivate this practice that, you can learn about a religion on the internet but it is also good to have the option of opening a book that specifically informs you the practice.
For those who sees this project, what do you want them to take back, find or do?
Particularly for my approach towards the exhibition, like every other industry, we should evolve what is happening at the current time, rather than trying to stick too closely to something that has been working for a long time.
My approach of conveying messages about my religion can stray off from what one may deem as nostalgic, but I hope it will entice the younger generation to learn about their religion. People shouldn’t feel scared of change because change is a good thing.
So why did you — or how exactly did you come up with this project? and How long did it take to complete?
I wanted to pay homage to my heritage and the strong women in my life that have inspired me. I would, if given the opportunity for more interdisciplinary mingling, for example, between fine arts and fashion, music and fashion – because all of those worlds intersect sometimes.
The whole project took about a year to complete. It includes producing the garments, configure the floor plan of the exhibition and shooting the visuals.
Are there merchandises that will be made available for purchase?
No, but the visitors of the exhibition may enquire to purchase the garments on display. They are also exhibition memorabilia sold at the door like the bedouin mask (customed for #diaexhibition) and also scarves.
Like many designers and artists have in common sometimes, what is your dream project to work on?
At this point, I don’t really have one. However, it would be a dream to start my own business but I will need money and experience. Even though I’ve done internships and job placements in the past, I would still love to work under an established fashion house overseas. The dream is to work on projects with Alexander Wang or Raf Simons.
As a creative in Singapore, what is your goal in the future?
Social media have been and steadily still is a massive instrument in fashion. My goal is to provide a platform for smaller businesses to present their work globally because of the internet. It will be a dream and my way of giving back to the industry by creating a movement for everyone to thrive together.
I think it will always be strength in numbers and for other creatives and/or designers who are just starting out, it is key for them to have friends they can depend on. It feels really good to have other peers believe in something that is similar to what you believe in.
Lastly, what do you hope to see in the creative industry in the future?
I hope that people can pay more attention to how their clothes are being produced. Through that, more can appreciate what local designers or independent fashion labels are doing. People should realise what fast fashion is actually doing to people in our industry.
images by Hakim Wijaya.
interviewed by Sarah Syaah.
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