Irene Saputra Invents Elaborate, Playful Outfits in Her Vibrant Embroideries

Irene Saputra, also known as Nengiren, creates vibrant embroideries featuring playful motifs like flowers, stars, leaves, and eyes that transform into billowing garments. Based in South Jakarta, she often incorporates the motif of nona kecil, meaning “little woman” in Indonesian.

Saputra’s fashion-forward style can be described as bold and expressive, with outfits that seem to have personalities of their own. She refers to these as OOTDs (outfits of the day), a term popularized by fashion influencers on social media.

A faceless figure is a recurring character in her work, distinguished only by a cropped bob and black boots. The figure’s wide-leg trousers or dresses remain symmetrical but vary widely in design.

Distinctive Series and Styles

The Arak Arakan Sepi series, meaning “quiet procession” in Indonesian, features more abstract, bulbous shapes.
Terlalu Sibuk Bergaya depicts more realistic and detailed outfits.

Saputra’s hand-stitched characters coordinate through the use of color, scale, and repetition, creating harmonious compositions.

Artistic Background and Themes

Drawing on her background in graphic design and illustration, Saputra applies these skills to her fiber art compositions. Her work explores women’s fashion and personal expression, channeling optimism and reflecting her journey through motherhood.

“Saputra has often referred to these styles as OOTD’s, or outfits of the day, borrowing from a hashtag historically used by fashion influencers on social media.”

Author’s summary: Irene Saputra combines vibrant motifs and thoughtful craftsmanship to create embroidered outfits that celebrate personality, fashion, and motherhood through playful, expressive art.

Colossal — 2025-11-04