About the brand
“ ….. gender relationships, which are tough for people to deal with, are key to whether a society orients to domination or partnership in all its relations.
Repression is a seamless garment; a society which is authoritarian in its social and sexual codes.“
Founded in 2015; then later re-established in 2023, WILLIAM UTAMA is a sartorial response to the gender bigotry and oppression of third world culture and social system while intimating a sense of gender-fluid futurism. This means the exploration of the nuances of hegemonic masculinity and femininity and merging the stereotypical gender roles into a single entity. Most acclaimed for its thought-provoking radical concepts that is deeply rooted in morphed cultures which transports clothing to a realm of its own and bled far beyond garments and into the wider category of the arts. Citing influences from myriad of forces such as countercultures, rawness of youth subcultures, various eclectic contemporary art, music, above all people with strong ideals, sense of self and the courage to live by their own rules.
Representing the beginning of a new era in Indonesia fashion scene and gender-neutral clothing, the brand pushes boundaries by playing with the unconventional beauty with progressive ingenuity, without compromising the traditional values, bridging the gap between the East and West. WILLIAM UTAMA aspires to introduce its own distinctive way of creative expression through a trichotomy of traditional tailoring discipline, balanced with innovative cutting-edge artisanal craftsmanship and visible tactile in fabrications, thus paying tribute to modernity and relatively au courant result in a dreamlike deviation from the design of contemporaries.
Each piece is a unique creation that has different characters and carries a distinctive message, combined to tell a complete story and aimed at projecting voices and images. Ideas that speak the language of the current existing state of life, affairs and cultures; embodies a special kind of reconciling foreign and familiar, Visual Metaphors for Semantic Cultural Heritage. The brand progressively continues to establish itself as a force through challenging the status quo and defying gender stereotypes, cultural stigma and racial prejudice while building an inclusive community and cultivating a culture of curiosity and openness.
The eponymous collections are dedicated to the misfits and misunderstood, every audacious individual who is or wants to express themselves through clothes. Ultimately the best version of themselves. Neither their age, race, gender, beliefs nor occupation matters, but only their ability to comprehend clothing intellectually; They are the discerning and naturally savvy ones. Above all, attitude is everything.
With its acclaimed Hybrid ninja-esque aesthetic and dystopian undertones resembles the idea of armor, shielding through the harsh reality of the third-world. Pieces from sharp tailored coats, deconstructed jackets, hand-knitted pieces, reworked denims are designed with one gender in mind. Taking a fresh approach to familiar staples, the brand produces thoroughly wearable yet artistically tenacious detailed pieces of urban sophistication and understated ingenuity, emanating an aura of individualism and radical cosmopolitanism with underlying hints of avant-garde.
THE CREATIVE FORCE
Beneath the surface
Liam; The creative force behind his eponymous label, is a multifaceted fashion designer and creative practitioner characterized by his emphasis on individualism and escapism. An utterly unconventional figure with a global pedigree, Liam's prolific early life and interdisciplinary education allowed him to travel and develop his fascination with art and design. Born in Indonesia of Chinese-descent, he attended renowned design schools in Shanghai, Sydney and London where he completed his Diploma, Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design and graduated with High Distinction.
Upon graduation, he was offered prestigious opportunities to work for numerous most sought fashion brands such as Giorgio Armani, Peter Pilotto, Dion Lee and more. As such, he has gained immeasurable exposure and invaluable experiences in different fields of the industry. Afterwards, he set off to debut on his first seasonless collection, CHAPTER 1: Evoke in 2016, which received fantastic response by the fashion press and media as he evidently bagged the prestigious award from Harper's Bazaar Asia New Generation Fashion Award 2016. He represented Indonesia in the regional grand finale during Singapore Fashion Week against other designers across Asia which he won and was granted a full-scholarship for a Master's degree in Istituto Marangoni.
The tenure spent in London with its diverse culture, vibrant city life, industry exposure and experience further heightened his senses. Liam has now lived and worked in many major cities across continents, such as Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hongkong, Sydney, London and Stockholm. This has largely impacted his diverse yet eclectic approach in his creative process while remaining authentic and unique by drawing inspirations from his multicultural heritage and upbringing.
Liam is acknowledged for his eclectic aesthetic that is infused with intricate experimental textile treatment, keen eye on fabrications and materials and constant search for new shapes and cuts. This design ethos and methodology interplays with functionality and modern proportions while also considering sustainability at the core of the design process. His interest is in creating ingenious clothes that are inclusive and expressive, innovative yet relevant while disregarding traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Driven by technical construction and constant quest for innovation, his core design principle comprises the trinity blend of traditional tailoring mastery and experimental artisanal craftsmanship punctuated with the essence of au courant contemporary aesthetics. This principle evokes a sense of refinement and redefines the art of dressing which upholds and accentuates individualism. His idiosyncratic perspective earned him a cult following. He established a dynamic niche, consistently showing collections of technically crafted, bold yet evocative designs which are fashion forward and liberal. Liam's work stands at the forefront of the coming renaissance of Asian designers.