Head of design and creative director of FRANKSLAND
We are very proud to be representing our immensely talented artists who are all based in Bali. When our artists thrive, we shall also thrive.
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
At seven years-old I already knew what I wanted to be. I hated my school uniforms and wanted to work in magazines. My imagination was always running wild and it was the one thing I relied on the most. I was born into a family with seven other siblings in Kalimantan. I felt privileged to have been raised by parents who themselves had never completed their schooling, but were still able to provide me with the best opportunities and upbringing they possibly could. My parents had always given me the liberty to choose any academic or professional path that I felt was most suitable to me, or that made me the happiest.
At the age of 18, I started working for a Swedish automotive company from 7am until 5pm, and then went to University in the evening for my Business Management Diploma from 5pm until 10pm. I used to dream of being a VJ for MTV, but at the time, I felt like I was stuck in the vicious cycle of corporate life. I‘d see those VJs on MTV having so much fun, and in a way, that provided some respite from the wrong path that I had chosen in my life.
By the age of 24, I was transitioning from being a Data Analyst for an American oil and gas company, to working in IT for satellites and fibre optics, which was a new field for me. The pay was good, but I still hadn’t found what I was looking for. I did not feel like I was trapped because I was still enjoying the process, but I couldn’t find the right pathway to lead me to fashion, which is what I knew I wanted to pursue.
Franksland finally began in 2002 in Kalimantan. I started laying the foundations by myself whilst on an internship at Volvo. I started with jewellery and t-shirts, and my first pop-up was held at Novotel, which was immediately sold out. My sister was the first to model my clothes, and my best friend was the photographer. I was on a budget and yet, the photos still turned out looking great, even to this day!
In order to further expand the brand, I decided to move to Jakarta. At the time, the fashion market in Jakarta was fixated on global brands and fast fashion, so I decided to pull out of Jakarta and move my brand to Bangkok where my brother managed the production. But I soon realised that Franksland, as the name suggests, is better suited to an island, not within a city. I missed the sun, the ocean breeze and the saltiness of the ocean water on my hair. So, Bali it was.
Today, Franksland is an alternative fashion and lifestyle brand aimed to cater to trendy fashionistas. Reflecting on the challenges of today’s fashion-conscious consumer, we set about creating a clothing line that provides a stylish silhouette with all the eye-catching simplicity, quality and modernity of forward-looking fabrications.
Each piece designed by the creative team brings its own signature flair and sense of confidence to people who believe that ‘identity is key’. Inspired by Bali and Indonesia’s vibrant atmosphere, with a focus that lies on luxury resort essentials, each piece is infused with concepts of elegance and playfulness.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am very proud to have launched our digital and analogue art platform WhoaFrank in the middle of the pandemic in December 2021 at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. WhoaFrank is where art meets fashion, curated and handpicked to showcase a broad range of unique pieces. We are very proud to be representing our immensely talented artists who are all based in Bali.
WhoaFrank’s mission is to be the global online destination platform for the most creative, most forward-thinking and most boundary-pushing analogue and digital artwork. We want to enable the growth of Indonesia-based artists by providing an innovative and world class e-commerce art platform whilst always striving to uplift the Indonesian art scene as a whole, on a global stage. When our artists thrive, we shall also thrive.
What impact have you made in Bali?
Franksland is the first fully dedicated menswear brand in Bali that I can think of. I mean, I love men, so it’s only natural that I created a menswear brand. I also love wearing things that I have created myself. I have always loved contributing my creativity to the arts. Because fashion is such an impactful tool to bring about awareness in our society, I always encourage people in my industry to always give back to society in any positive way. With WhoaFrank, a percentage of every transaction goes to Balinese charities.
What does 2022 look like for you?
2022 marks the Covid pandemic becoming endemic. Places are opening up again with fewer restrictions, Ngurah Rai airport is open to international flights and foreign tourists are starting to come back to Bali again. There is always good in the future. I consider myself an optimist, and I think that being positive in a negative situation is not naïve, it is leadership. We have survived the past two years, so the future is just a matter of continuing the pattern.
What do you love most about Bali?
The Balinese people and its culture. These are the two things that enticed me to Bali and since the very beginning of my career, they are the reason that I am still here.
What’s the one thing you could wear for the rest of your life?
Linen blazers. I can wear them in the morning to the office and to the factory. I can wear a different blazer for after work drinks and sunsets. I can pair them with linen shorts for the beach club at Alila Seminyak, or with linen trousers for dinners at Koral at The Apurva Kempinski Bali.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
Suki Wooden Glasses . She is the pioneer of wooden sunglasses in Bali.