Hanna Bella Writing Portfolio
riting w s i t Wha ending m y r o mem if not
What is if not s writing oul sea rching
Wh a iden t is w ri tity imm ting if orta not lisin g
Creative Writing Interview Writing Fashion & Lifestyle Writing
Hanna Bella
riting w s i t Wha ending m y r o mem if not
What is if not s writing oul sea rching
Wh a iden t is w ri tity imm ting if orta not lisin g Often, it feels like I have two writing selves. One is powered by midnight thoughts, nostalgia and longing. The other is its sharp and witty sister. Both are passionate storytellers who would be incandescently happy to meet you. Contact : +6281229276720 Email : hannabellajuly@gmail.com
Relevant writing experience : (2018) Fashion Article feature at Vanilla Luxury (Singapore) (2018) Joined Singapore Writers’ Festival Spoken Word Poetry Workshop (2019-2020) Love and Flair’s content creator and writer (2020) Joined Rain Chudori’s Writing Course (See You Someday) (2021) Founded A Quarter Past Twelve I discovered an affinity for the charm and sometimes the trickery and that is writing from a phase that can be remembered by badly plotted stories and angst-ridden proses from my high school days. I was alway in love with stories and am also an avid reader. In 2016, I enrolled into the Fashion Business major in Singapore and there, my love for writing bled into my love for fashion. From marketing campaign copy to fashion articles, I tried to incorporate both interests into anything I was creating. In 2019, I graduated and in a blink of an eye, I was already back in Indonesia and working in an exciting fashion e-commerce Love and Flair where other than being the content creator for its Instagram, I ended up being a major contributor to its blog.
I recently rediscovered the wonder of creative writing through internet communities, shared prompts and a writing course. With the goal of exercising my writing muscle, early in 2021, I also partnered with my illustrator/graphic designer friend to make A Quarter Past Twelve which is a joint platform and collaboration to create narratives, content and products based off midnight feelings and thoughts that will help people connect with themselves and each other. Outside of that word-wielding realm, you can find me in fashion retail industry and bookish internet corners. If the journey of writing is a book, I may still at the first few chapter, but how eager I am for it all. Welcome to my work so far.
Creative Writing
When this calm summons unhinged waves,
will you still stand your ground? or drift away ?
Will your palms still try to cradle my face ?
It’s an open secret,
I retreat to the depth of the blue.
but I come back with a siren song,
I come back caressing your shore.
Love Language
My love language is a private allegory I commit you to my fondest memory with quick brushes under the tables, and nods in crowded hallways. With crescent smiles and long glances, coded notes and hand around my waist. With your worn shirt laying by my pillow, yearning sipping into the marrow.
welve t t s a p e lentin sttwelve a v a for # rterpa Poem at @aqua t projec
Illustration by Vinessa Lucia Poem by Hanna Bella
I wish to be barefoot after supper dangling my hair from the edge of your couch pouring out my daydreams and worries and listening to yours - in person I wish we were singing songs the hottest on the radio stealing moments where our hands would find each other undoubtedly warm and solid we could go anywhere because you’re by my side I wish to not wake up to your sunset, I wish to never have to wave you goodbye or do it through a small blue screen right now all my “I love you” mean “I’ll see you soon” too Time flies when i’m with you Oh, how terribly i miss you
welve t t s a p e lentin sttwelve a v a for # terpa poem at @aquar t projec
Illustration by Vinessa Lucia Poem by Hanna Bella
Poem fo r #aram adanpast project at twelce @aquart erpasttw elve
In the silence before the first light In the laughter when the sun set May you hear peace In the heart where forgiveness dawns From the hands where blessings flows May you feel hope In spite of yesterday’s moon, I wish for the cadence of joy to echo in your loving household I wish for the hand of time to guide you to prosperous months I wish for you to thrive despite the drought or storm May this holy moment bring us victory that will last May this warmth and sweetness tenderly break your fast
Illustration by Vinessa Lucia Poem by Hanna Bella
le
sty poetry k-out c a l b y , ry sb ‘s Kis n a sto withi he Winner e 320 Story g T ski pa from Rutko Marie
Arin’s grief, Kestrel
understood
was
the ghost
that
was easy to find
Story with
in a story, black-out from Rook poetry style ie on Love page 261
Except
we just
leave each other’s side
slipping away.
This is what being an adult is
like, I told myself.
i lost more than i knew But
i could feel my heart weird
still wake up the next day, how much i could handle.
Writte n as a solac my gri eving c e for ousins
A tribute to my grandfather
Thicker than blood or water are the eyebrows grandpa gave all of us. On his last day, he was surrounbded by us; mirrors and fragments of his own face. He was a gentleman with thin hair, prominent nose and easy smile. He wore perfume and snacked on candies despite his age. He took his naps seriously and his coffee very black. Our fathers and mothers packed their best red only to wear white. Surrounded by the things he could no longer reach, people he could no longer greet, places bare of his presence, there was a yawning void in that crowded house where pain took space. I wondered if we didn’t consider this enough, that the price of growing up is our loved ones slipping through our fingers. But I saw the way my father stood next to your father how they laughed and similarity rang true. So we should consider this too, The spirit left but his legacy is in me and you. Thicker than blood or water was the smoke at the wake. Rituals we didn’t understand but honored wordlessly. When we left, we were told not to look back, so we looked at each other. We have each other
All the sounds we thought were heartbeats, they faded as the sky cleared and the trees began
We were a heap of bones,
tense and dying from laughter We paid an unexpected visit to our past selves
through songs worth forgetting and worth waiting the sunset for.
Remembering my last trip to Bandung before COVID-19 restrictions in 2020
Interview Writing
This Love Interview was transcribed and edited by Nadya Elaina Written for Love and Flair’ s blog by Hanna Bella Photography by Iona Chavela
Kallula is like a nostalgic dream. This all-around cool-girl might have been a part of your parties, or late-night drives, or your ritualistic scroll for #OOTDinspo on Instagram. Having passed the fiveyear mark in her career, Kallula’s name has become a household name in music and fashion. Beyond the picture-perfect images, she is a dedicated woman who loves reinventing herself. Kallula’s career started with radio broadcasting, before joining KIMOKAL – a conjoined electro-pop group with Kimo Rizky, where her music career blossomed. The rest, according to her, is history. She’s been blessed in her musical journey, with an abundance of opportunities to tour, create albums, and receiving awards for her hard work. Aside from just making music, she finds that she’s had to be strategic and consistent in being able to put her name out there.
“What is important is knowing how to make the right branding for yourself and how to maintain your work. Most importantly, being true to yourself and love what you do.” As the creative process goes, artists are often compelled to reinvent themselves, branch out, and embody the change in their new work. For Kallula, these things come easier.
“I’m very unpredictable. I easily get bored that’s why I love to explore new things.” If you’ve been following her, you saw the goodbye to her long hair, to the launch of her new business. She now can be seen sporting a short bob with on-and-off bangs. She is also in the middle of the twin adventure of a solo music project and developing her natural skincare line, Cre. With new radiant Indonesian artists gaining listenership and spotlight in the American music scene, she sees it as a brilliant opportunity for local talents to make a wave.
“I think this is the best time for all of us. It means all the chances are out there and we are equal to all. Everyone has the same opportunity! Make the most of it.“ Lately, Indonesian artists have continued to assault Billboard charts and make a name for themselves. This year, Rich Brian and NIKI will be performing at the coveted Coachella as the first Indonesian acts to ever perform at the festival, adding their names to the short list of Asians that have ever performed there. Kallula doesn’t believe in pure luck, and believes the likes of Rich Brian and NIKI is
a result of great timing meets opportunity, and of course talent and hard work. In the next few years, she foresees this as a start to the ongoing advancement of the local music industry, especially since various international labels are reaching deeper into the Asian market. Her
advice for just starting
people out:
“Find
what you like and are most passionate about, and to never be easily satisfied with what you have accomplished.” The entertainment industry is volatile as it is, and Kallula’s industry is no less harsh on its musicians. For her, the most challenging part is the internal grappling to explore new facets of herself
Interview was transcribed and edited by Nadya Elaina Written for Love and Flair’ s blog by Hanna Bella Photography by Iona Chavela
while staying true to who she is. She knows well it can be dangerously easy to want to stick to the same things, knowing it is what works well. The best advice she has ever received would be “say no to comfort zone,” and she lives by that. And if you’re ever feeling stuck with a writer’s block, remember to travel far, eat, and write like she suggests. Having been in the music industry for more than half a decade, she admits that she’s enjoyed everyone’s company in her pursuit of making music. “Everyone that I’ve worked with left good impressions, but I love working with Dipha Barus. Aside from work, he is my friend, his know-ledge about music is crazy good.” Though one can never be certain of the future, Kallula enjoys the thrill of the new and different. But like Jenny from the block, Kallula always wants to be the same person. “Just with more achievements and good deeds in life”
pany : In Good Com ntoro Natalia Kia
In Good Company (#LFingoodcompany) is a series where we talk to female founders of stellar local brands to bring you insights on business and entrepreneurship.
Have you ever felt fearless and yet so effortlessly at ease in your clothes? Ask a woman who’s ever worn a Natalia Kiantoro piece and they are likely to say yes. This designer’s creations continue to enamor the modern women, year after year. A combination of wearability, contemporary styles and play of contrasts in all of her collections always draw eyes to stop and take a second look. Today, we’re taking that long second look beyond the signature cuts and prints of NATALIA KIANTORO to the person who started and sustains the namesake designer brand. Roll the Q&A :
What is your design process like when developing a new collection? My design process starts with the inspiration. It can definitely come from everywhere, from photo albums, to my travel expe riences, to social and political issues. The past few seasons (of collections ) were influenced by social and political issues. These are the things that really affect people so I want people to be more aware of them. For example, feminism issue, for many it’s still quite taboo, but I want to bring it up. The fact that my collections exist is feminist because it’s feminist to show different point of views from women, and these collections are mine. Through the pieces I want to empower women to believe they can be both bold and feminine.
In terms of producing new collection in the social distancing and new normal period, it’s not purely inspirations that drive the creation of the collection, it’s also been pushed by people’s change of needs, preferences and fact that the work can’t stop. I have the responsibility to keep the brand going and to take care of the people who work for me. As a designer, it’s a test to create a collection that keeps the business going without leaving my ideals.
Do you lean to follow projected trends, or opt to stay completely out of it and stay different? Also, how do you ensure that your designs will have a lasting life cycle? Our products have unique aesthetics and details. They are not very trend-driven but also not out-of-line with the current design landscape. When you go back to our the past collections, they don’t seem very outdated compared to the newer ones. The pieces are not meant to be seen as seasonal items. There’s a timelessness to them. I also know that my clients like functional pieces that serve them for a purpose, and we have different items for the different occasions they might need instead of offering the newest trend.
Your collections also have very distinct and dramatic visuals, with you travelling out of town to shoot several of your campaigns before. How did you come up with the visual ideas for the campaigns? Before the photoshoot, I always communicate with the creative team I work with on what I want to say through the collection and campaign. There are usually a lot of discussions to make sure we’re on the same path. The recent collection (Spring/Summer 2020) was about the harm of social media, I briefed the creative team on how I envisioned the delivery should be , but I also asked the people involved, like the fashion photographer, what their views were like for the project.
Is there a certain criteria that you look for in people or brands when deciding to collaborate? When it comes to collaboration, the most important thing is to have the same values and goals. For example with Sharon (Angelia), I work with her because she’s all about women empowerment and she knows what I want and how I want to convey my message.
As for brands, not long ago, I collaborated with Cara Woman. They have an immense vision for their brand, and they’re conscious about their workers. I appreciate these things so I wanted to collaborate with them. Other than values, I saw that we had similarities in target market and styles. The ones who like Cara Woman’s styles are likely to like Natalia Kiantoro’s styles too. That made it easier to work each brand’s signature elements into the collection. Cara Woman is Surabaya based as well so it was an easy collaboration logistically.
As a fashion designer, you’d probably have your own creative idealism but there isn’t a lot of room for that once you’re aware of the responsibility to take care of your business and more importantly, your workers. This is part of why NATALIA KIANTORO offers designer quality items but in what’s considered affordable (for a designer brand.) In my view, it becomes less meaningful if what I create is unreachable. This is not to bash on any other brands that don’t do it the same way- this is just how I run my own business.
You’re currently running the Natalia Kiantoro brand on your own. How do you balance between being the creative and business force behind your brand? Did you have some business / marketing skills taught in your design degree or did you learn it along the way? Would you recommend fashion design graduates to learn about management and marketing before starting their own brand?
My college taught me the craft and art of fashion but also put an emphasis on the commerciality of the designs. I think it helped shaped my brand. If you’d like to learn, it would be beneficial but I also believe that when you decide to make a business, you will learn about management and marketing as you go anyway.
It is hard but it is possible! You have to find the solution and balance between being the creative and business leader.
As an independent brand, what do you think were the most important steps you took in terms of gaining exposure when you first started? Comparing several of your strategies (e.g., fashion shows, celebrity loans, strategic stockists), which one did you think contributed most to your successful start?
The most fundamental part was creating a unique style and maintaining it. Maintaining it, I find, is the hard part because when you have a unique style, the first two three collection will reflect it easily but continuing past that is the challenge. The other thing was building trust between the brand and customers. Once a person is disappointed in what she receives (compared to what she thought she was paying for), it will have an impact on the brand image so I try to avoid that from happening. You can’t make everybody happy all the time but you have to make sure your market knows in every single step that you do that what you’re selling is worth what they’re paying for. A part of that is the story you’re telling, not just the physical products. People want to know more – especially the generation we’re in and the next. They want to believe in the brand’s vision therefore you have to take care of the story and brand image. The fashion shows, celebrity loans, and stockists were all part of that.
You’re based in Surabaya. Given that Jakarta is the capital city and where most of the fashion scene is held at, was there ever a pressure or consideration to move?
Yes, of course I thought about it! But thanks to the internet, everything has become reachable. It helps to keep the brand based where it is. Compare it to five to ten years ago, if you were not in the capital city, it would have taken a life and death effort to get your brand off the ground. But now, it’s not that hard to build a brand and compete with those from the capital city, That being said, you still have to extra effort because the resources like fabrics are easier to be found in the capital. It’s good that I chose to stay here, because it gives me a more diversified market. If I waited until I could move, I wouldn’t have started my brand then. Instead of competing with the bigger fish, why not find another pond and spot other opportunities, right? Do whatever you can, wherever you are now.
With all the experience you’ve accumulated over the years, what advice can you give to designers who are just starting out? Know your market. I’ve taught online classes for a couple of local Universities and this is a common question from the students: my product is great, why aren’t people buying it?
In response, I’d suggest them to trace back to whether there was a demand for that product in the market. It won’t matter if a product is great if you don’t know your market enough to know that it will sell. Recently because of the pandemic, people’s needs changed. More casual styles and loungewear are in demand – that’s the opportunity in the current market. Provide products that are needed, not merely from our desire. It sounds impossibly demanding to be audaciously creative yet
strategic, to maintain the signature designs but try something new in every release, to cater to different markets and execute different marketing efforts while keeping your brand image seamless through them all. Yet, here she is, after close to a decade of being in the fashion business. NATALIA KIANTORO has proven that while being adaptable is needed, it is worth it to stay true to who you are, unswayed by the passing trends. I came into the conversation curious, and left utterly inspired. I hope you felt the same and enjoyed it as well.
Note : This interview has been shortened for this portfolio. Read the full version at loveandflair.wordpress.com
Fashion & Lifestyle Writing
Scan here to read my fashion and lifestyle articles including other interviews with other fashion industry figures (WITH LOVE’s founders, POSH THE LABEL’s founder in #LFingoodcompany series on loveandfliar.wordpress.com
Hanna Bella @hannabellajuly