Interview with Wulan S. Haryono, Founder &amp; CEO of Fashion Forward, President Director of Mode Asia Europe, President of EAFA (Europe Asia Fashion Alliance).

Wulan S. Haryono is a young, elegant and sophisticated Asian entrepreneur. She is the first woman entrepreneur from Indonesia producing the collective shows of Asian designers and brands during Paris Fashion Week. Exclusively for L&rsquo;Officiel Baltic Wulan talks about herself, her project and future goals.
What sparked your interest in fashion?
I have always been interested in the fashion industry since I was young, until I decided to go to Lasalle college international majoring in Fashion Business in 2005 and then I went to France, the capital of fashion, for my study. It makes me more and more love fashion and the industry, also I realized that some fashion graduates often do not continue their career in the industry because simply they don't know how to get to the industry or they know but they don't have access to, they want to expand internationally but have no idea how to. It inspired me to create and build Fashion Forward to facilitate them to get into the industry, make their brands visible, and be seen by journalists, buyers, influencers, celebrities.
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Wulan, please tell us about your project Fashion Forward Paris.
&ldquo;Fashion Forward Paris &rdquo;- a fashion show production company under Europe Asia Fashion Alliance and Mode Asia Europe based, that is recognized for its creativity creating the shows to introduce the culture of Asia to Paris Fashion Industry. Not only producing a beautiful show, Fashion Forward also produces the showroom and pop-up store in Paris and LA. The shows organized during Paris Fashion Weeks gathered a huge number of fans and a lot of press representatives from all over the world. The show is known as one of the most well-organized events in Paris and became an important event outside of the Paris Fashion Week calendar. It took place in magnificent premises in Paris such as Hotel Westin, Ch&acirc;teau de Bouron, Hotel Le Marois and this year of 2023, Fashion Forward will be hosted in Hotel d&rsquo;Evreux at Place Vend&ocirc;me, located right in the heart of the city. It is one of the most prestigious squares in Paris, which is also home of Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.

Why did you choose Paris as your main location?
Paris is known as the world's number one fashion capital. Many young brands in Asia have been dreaming of becoming successful fashion labels and being recognized in Paris. They come to Paris to have a chance to fulfil this dream! And I have many times proved to my partners that dreams can come true.
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When will the next fashion show be held in Paris?
The next show of Fashion Forward will be 30 September - 1 October 2023 for S/S 2024 collection. We have done a rebranding and now Fashion Forward is really effective, something fresh and new. Not only about the show itself but we do educate people in Indonesia about what this show is about, the mission and the most important thing about Paris Fashion Week is about, whether it is on schedule or off schedule. We of course expect that the industry in Europe is excited for our show this year as they are every year.
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Was the rebranding of the company a forced measure?
Fashion Forward was previously known as Fashion Division. In 2022 controversial actions taken by my ex-husband who used to work with me, tried to steal and ruin the image of the company I built from 2015, it is under my name. I managed to keep on going and focus on my goal to help emerging designers / brands from Asia. I decided to completely rebrand company and infuse into it a lot of fresh energy, vibes, technology, knowledge and experience accumulated over years of successful activities.

What does an aspiring designer need to do to take part in your upcoming show? Are there any specific criteria and requirements for the collection?
They need to send to the Fashion Forward Team their portfolio in order to be curated by our team. Of course, we have some criteria for the collection they will be showcasing in Paris Fashion Week, it has to be original, authentic and sustainable. In terms of style, you need to follow the trend in style, color, fabric, etc. Because the goal is not only doing the show, but to be noticed by the fashion industry people in Paris Fashion Week such as buyers, fashion journalists, fashion influencers etc. make sure that the collection can work in the Parisian market or even European market.
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What are your future goals for the company?
Our goal is to bring not only Indonesian designers and brands but also from Asia to the world. Asia has thousands of unique and beautiful cultures from each country as their inspiration and history behind the collection which I think the world should know about the richness of Asian culture. Not only promoting Asian culture but also bringing them to the next level to be accepted to the International market especially European Market.

Photographer: Blake Lescaut
Makeup artist: Audrey Gambart
Producer: Christina V Henningstad
Text: Tania Tuka
Outfit: Harry Halim X Mahija /Gold Plated Tube

Asian fashion wave by Fashion Forward

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