Vanya Harapan

What is your full name?

Vanya Harapan.

What is your first name?

Vanya.

Where were you born?

Jakarta, Indonesia.

Where do you currently reside and work?

Jakarta, Indonesia.

What is your educational background?

I obtained a BA in Graphic Design from Coventry University, England.

What are other details of experiences, work or otherwise, that have led you to your current work?

My first work experience was as an intern at the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi in Jakarta, which I thought was most aligned with the degree I was studying.

However, it seemed like my heart was still gravitating to the fashion industry, which led me to intern at Harper's Bazaar UK during my studies and at ELLE Indonesia when I returned home. This sparked my interest in journalism and styling, marking the beginning of my journey as a journalist and freelance stylist.

I also ventured into retail, working in marketing and PR for HuntStreet and, later, Time International, where I handled Chopard, Roger Dubuis, and Zenith. Now, I spend my days doing marketing, PR, and creative work for PILLAR whilst growing an independent media called The Corator.

How would you describe your practice/business?

The string that connects the fields I work in is the storytelling I do. Whether through styling and directing editorials, interview pieces, and articles, or producing activations and events, much of my work involves translating brands' stories and creative work for a wider audience.

What are the highlight projects in your career so far?

A recent highlight has been producing the shows for Jan Sober, Tanah Le Sae, and Two Stitches as part of PILLAR’s showcases at Plaza Indonesia Fashion Week.

Another one as a journalist was flying out to CHANEL’s cruise show in Singapore as one of the editors representing Jakarta. After writing about various international brand shows over the years, it felt surreal to actually be physically present to experience one myself.

As a stylist, I direct and style the campaigns for Jan Sober and Sapto Djojokartiko's PILLAR collaborations. It also feels surreal to go from being an avid fan and viewer of these brands to working hands-on alongside these designers.

These projects remind me that when my heart and soul are dedicated to something, even the most intense and overwhelming days of work will feel worthwhile in the end.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on several collaborative collections and events for PILLAR that will be unveiled soon. I am also growing my media platform, and, of course, I am always with a pen, ready to write about whatever piques my interest.

Instagram: @v.xnya