Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine May 2019 | Page 83

Lifestyle / Interview
Rinaldy A. Yunardi
From Zero
to Hero
Interview by Bonny Dwifriansyah
Rinaldy then worked for an electronics
factory owned by his brother, and it was
here that he unexpectedly discovered
his hidden talent. “One day, I went to
the factory behind the store and was
working with some stuff, like acrylic,
wire, cable, wire cuttings and plastic.
I accidentally created some Victorian-
style pieces. Suddenly, I recalled the
late Kim Thong’s tiaras.”
From that moment, Rinaldy began
experimenting with any materials he
could get his hands on, creating and
selling tiaras he designed. The response
was good. Demand for his pieces
kept on building, with requests coming
in from Jakarta and beyond.
After his initial success, Rinaldy
branched out into other kinds of
accessories, ranging from necklaces
to bracelets, rings, gloves, ear cuffs
and experimental headpieces. Fur, wire,
raffia, acrylic, palm fibre, wood and
other simple yet distinctive materials
are found in hundreds of his designs.
The uniqueness and extraordinary
elements in his designs have attracted
the attention of a string of A-list
international celebrities: Lady Gaga,
Nicki Minaj, Cher, Rihanna, Beyoncé,
Mariah Carey, Katy Perry and Madonna
are among the famous names who
have been spotted wearing Rinaldy’s
accessories. “For a long time, I have
liked making things that are crazy
and whimsical. Let people have their
own opinion; I don’t care, as long as
I can design with my own idealism,”
Rinaldy explains.
One of the designer’s most
memorable achievements was when
Pop Queen Madonna wore one of his
headpieces, a golden crown, to the
prestigious 2018 Met Gala, topping
off a dress by Jean Paul Gaultier.
“I was so touched, since she chose
my accessory among the available
options. My wish and hope was finally
accomplished,” Rinaldy recalls. accessory museum. Of course, should
it be possible, I cannot establish it
alone,” he says.
Although the world has recognised
his works, Rinaldy humbly claims that
he has no feasible target for the future.
He simply wants his 23-year-old
business to run steadily. “If I have
a dream, I would like to build an “I always fly with Garuda Indonesia to
travel to any destination, as the airline
offers seriously good services, and that
makes me very comfortable,” the
designer concludes, rounding off our
interview.
For work and pleasure, Rinaldy is a
frequent flyer. He is particularly taken
with Hong Kong, where he likes to
unwind as well as shop for materials,
enjoying the fashion, atmosphere,
entertainment and good food.
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