Profile | Kylie Jenner is a fan: the rise of fashion label Isa Boulder, beloved by Gen Z, TikTok and influencers alike
- Although fashion brand Isa Boulder is only four years old, it is already making waves in the industry and among Gen Z celebrities like Dua Lipa and Kylie Jenner
- Its Indonesia-born founder explains why it has already staged a runway show, why it is based in Bali and what she means when she says her brand is a ‘teenager’
In a crowded marketplace, designers can take time to find their distinctive voice and point of view. That is not so for Cecilia Basari, whose intense focus on technique has shaped a recognisable trademark – a rarity for a brand that is only four years old.
In the last spring/summer 2024 womenswear season in September, her brand Isa Boulder reached a new milestone by staging its first runway show in Paris.
Presented in a maison particulier in the Marais district, the collection entitled Hardcore Handmade showcased a riveting balance between handcrafted artisan techniques and outré sensuality that has come to define the brand.
Isa Boulder may sound like a real-life person, but the name is entirely imaginary. “It was this kind of hypothetical person who embodies this vision of what the clothes could be and what we could offer,” explains Basari.
As the show progressed, latticed knitwear in earthen tones came layered over brilliant flashes of satin swimwear, and fine gauge bodysuits were paired with low-rise flared knit trousers. But as the final model in an armour-like macramé bridal gown exited the runway, Cecilia Basari was not there to take the traditional bow.