Designer Profile
Born in Makassar and raised by his seamstress single mother, Toton Januar developed a fascination with the artisanal aspect of design at a young age. He relocated to Jakarta, obtaining a degree in Media Broadcasting while working as a designer for one of Indonesia’s most prominent fashion designers. The job, along with his modeling career gave insight into the creative industry in general, Indonesia’s in particular.
He further sought to broaden his design vocabulary by taking a course on Fashion Study at Parsons New School of Design in New York. He started TOTON to provide an answer to the modern women’s need of individual style.
Brand
TOTON is a retelling of Indonesia’s inherent stories through fresh eyes and a new vision. It is a contemporary womenswear brand that explores the nation’s natural beauty and diverse culture with modern reinterpretations, celebrating heritage while deconstructing traditions for a new approach in women’s ready-to-wear fashion.
TOTON was founded in 2012 with Haryo Balitar, out of their mutual interest in exploring Indonesia’s through fashion. Based in Jakarta, TOTON offers a unique take by projecting new ideas on women’s ready-to-wear. Techniques that are traditionally used for folk and ceremonial costumes are rethought and reworked. Classics are infused with reinterpretations of ethnic cloths and garments. Juxtaposing those elements with menswear-inspired cuts and silhouettes.
The brand aspires to highlight on exotic twists of artistry and wear-ability.
Achievement
- May 2016: Chosen as Designer of The Year by Elle Indonesia at ELLE Style Awards 2016.
- July 2016: Winning International WoolmarkPrize 2016/2017 regional Asia in Hong Kong and be the first Indonesian designer to be in the global final.
- January 2017: International WoolmarkPrize Global Final in Paris. Although did not win, TOTON received lauded applause as a brand with stories to tell through its crafts.
- September 2018: Chosen for the second time as Designer of The Year by Elle Indonesia at ELLE Style Awards 2018.
- July 2019: Chosen as one of the designers to collaborate on a special collection with Indonesian textile artisans under Bank Indonesia’s program to be presented at their yearly event ‘Karya Kreatif Indonesia’, which was inaugurated by The First Lady of Indonesia, Mrs. IrianaJoko Widodo.
- January 2021: Selected to be part of Baroque Archipelago, an art exhibition highlighting Indonesian culture and fashion, held at MizumaGallery in Singapore.
- November 2021: Launching FOS X COP26: film “Stories from The TOTON Studio” during UN COP26 Climate Conference.
- July 2022: Taking part in a residency with State of Fashion Event in Arnhem, The Netherlands consisting of an exhibition “As I Stand in this Garbage Garden’, speaking at the conference “Practicing Solidarity” and a workshop with the locals on reworking denim.
Contact
Website: www.toton.id
Instagram: @totonthelabel
