Fashion Footnotes: Style Takeover with Nelly Sucitas
Fashion Footnotes: Style Takeover with Nelly Sucitas
As Art Director at Fashion & Market, I look at fashion beyond garments, focusing on the objects, references, and rituals that shape how we dress and live. In my column, Fashion Footnotes, I explore the intersection of style, culture, and everyday life in Southeast Asia. Each quarter, the format shifts among edited finds, behind-the-scenes perspectives from the industry, and notes on personal style from practitioners working within it.
For this instalment, the column shifts into a style takeover, where I invite practitioners from the region to reflect on how they dress and the role clothing plays in their everyday lives. This month's guest is Nelly Sucitas, whom I first met through the industry and who has since become a friend and frequent collaborator.
What first drew me to Nelly was the way her wardrobe mirrors her practice, balancing practicality with playful experimentation and treating clothing as another medium for making. A graduate of Bandung Institute of Technology with a BA in Textile Crafts, she is now a Jakarta-based multidisciplinary practitioner working across styling, set design, and textile art. In her own words, she reflects on the pieces she returns to most often and how they have become part of her process, shaping both the way she works and how she presents herself.
Look 1: The Everyday Uniform
Look 1: The Everyday Uniform.
This is the outfit I reach for whenever I know it is going to be a long day. Whether I am styling, designing a set, or working on décor, I rely on pieces that let me move freely without compromising my style. I am wearing a bodysuit from Satia The Label layered with a bralette from Myselves, while my Mercibeaucoup by Issey Miyake drop-crotch trousers have become my favourite comfort piece. You will probably spot me wearing them on most workdays. They have become some of the hardest-working items in my wardrobe.
Look 2: The Front Row Look
Look 2: The Front Row Look.
Fashion shows are the perfect excuse for me to have a little more fun with what I wear. I like following the dress code while still making the outfit feel like me. The long ribbon on this MM6 white blouse gives me the freedom to style it differently every time. I paired it with a vintage jacquard dress for a look that feels a little unexpected.
Look 3: The Formal Rework
Look 3: The Formal Rework.
Even for formal meetings, I do not want my outfit to feel too serious. I like balancing classic pieces with unexpected details, like this vintage white shirt with ruched appliqués, paired with vibrant orange trousers from Pomelo and layered with a sheer skirt from SKINS. They come together for what I like to call a 'formal fun' occasion.
Look 4: The Sourcing Uniform
Look 4: The Sourcing Uniform.
On sourcing days, a felted polo and knitted shorts are my go-to for staying cosy while I am on the move. But I cannot resist adding a little twist, so I layer my SKINS sheer skirt over the shorts to give an otherwise simple outfit a bit more character. I finish the look with MTW belt sandals for an easy, effortless touch.
Look 5: The Personal Statement
Look 5: The Personal Statement.
I love pop-up events and exhibition openings because they are the perfect opportunity for me to express my personality through what I wear. I made this pale yellow mini dress and the lace leggings myself, which makes the outfit feel even more personal. I complete the look with my Celine stud loafers. (You have probably spotted them in the previous photos already.)They are my favourite pair, and I often find myself reaching for them.
Thank you to Nelly for offering us a glimpse into your wardrobe. I hope you enjoyed this edition of Fashion Footnotes. See you in the next one!