Artist Stitches Trendy Outfits on Miniature Model for Ten Years
Nona Kecil ranks among the most stylish characters you’ll encounter. She embraces bold, vibrant colors and dares to try avant-garde shapes that transform her silhouette in delightful and unexpected ways. You may feel envious of her wardrobe and be curious about the source of her incredible dresses. The truth is, everything that Nona Kecil dons is unique for a very good reason: she isn’t real. She is the brainchild of embroidery artist Irene Saputra, known as Nengiren.
Nona Kecil’s embroidered apparel emerges from a profound longing Nengiren possessed during her childhood. “As a young girl, I spent countless hours with my 11-inch plastic doll given to me by my mother, who was living separately from me,” Nengiren shares. “I adored playing with her, particularly giving her make-overs each time we engaged in play. However, I lacked the means to acquire additional outfits, so I frequently asked my grandmother to sew some. Although she was kind and caring, she was often preoccupied, and sometimes the tiny garments never materialized.”
“In my little universe, I yearned for a superpower,” she adds, “one that could compress my wardrobe, enabling my doll to sport an array of outfits. I desired her to appear different every day. A whimsical game of dress-up, fueled by creativity, that has quietly lingered in my heart over the years.”
Since 2016, Nengiren has been creating outfits for Nona Kecil. This nearly decade-long endeavor has empowered the artist to make fashion choices that visually reflect the character’s essence. Conceptually, she examines how change occurs in our lives at every moment—from significant transformations to something as minor as swapping pants. In this manner, every shirt, pair of trousers, and dress serves as a reminder that each day is unique and should be cherished.
For Nengiren, the process of embroidering represents another means to value time. It’s a slow, intentional craft where she repetitively pierces a needle through a piece of fabric until the design is completed. Each stitch is a minor choice that ultimately influences the overall appearance. It’s quite similar to life itself.
Check out what Nona Kecil is sporting next when you visit Nengiren‘s Instagram.
Nona Kecil stands as one of the most fashionable characters you’ll come across. Everything she wears is uniquely crafted by artist Nengiren.
Nengiren has been designing outfits for Nona Kecil since 2016.
The inspiration behind this extensive project originated when Nengiren was just a child. She wished for her doll to have more outfits, but her grandmother was unable to find the time to create them.
“In my little world, I wished for a superpower,” she states, “one that could minimize my wardrobe, allowing my doll to wear an assortment of clothes.”
“I wanted her to look different every day. A whimsical game of dress-up, fueled by creativity, that has silently stayed with me through the years.”
Nengiren: Instagram
My Modern Met approved the use of photos by Nengiren.
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