JFM Produces Fashion and Lifestyle Guide

The guidebook Jakarta Fashion Minute 07/08 (JFM) has just been released, with the publisher looking to provide “credible” and “reliable” sources of information about fashion and lifestyle. The 200-page English-language volume was launched at Senayan City, South Jakarta, last Sunday, marked by a two-week exhibition that will run through April 30.

Claimed to be the first fashion and lifestyle directory, the book is looking for annual publication, although the publisher says that it will come out every two years for the time being.

“Let’s see what feedback we get from the public. Then we may decide to run it annually in the future,” managing director Deli Makmur told The Jakarta Post recently.

“We want to give people in Jakarta and other places in Indonesia a better understanding about fashion and lifestyle. We want them to become more appreciative about the fashion industry,” he said.

The first edition of the book contains 15 categories considered to represent the Indonesian fashion and lifestyle landscape. Only five fashion houses are profiled in each category.

“The book should not only be informative but reliable,” Deli said about the choice of five “best” names, adding that categories might change or expand in subsequent editions.

The categories include most phenomenal fashion designers, talked-about international fashion brands, hippest multilabel fashion boutiques, and eye-stopping fashion shoes and accessories.

Also featured are the most desirable beauty products and cosmetics, preferred beauty salons, trendiest hair and makeup artists, avant-garde fashion photographers and most outstanding models.

The most fabulous fashion icons, fashionable gadgets, uniquely designed interiors and architecture, stylish restaurants, happening bars and lounges, and most embraced styles are also highlighted.

Deli said that questionnaires were sent to hundreds of people in the world of fashion in Jakarta between September 2006 and February 2007 to reach a decision on the categories.

“We held questionnaires and interviewed them on their choices. That’s why we’ve tag lined the book “the fashion’s insider’s guide to today’s fashion in Jakarta,” he said.

On the Net: jfm@fame74.com