We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiara Budiendra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all started when I realized a lot of local Indonesian brands does not have a single element of Indonesian culture on their branding system. Nearly all of them has a western benchmark with English names for each of their products/shade names. Truthfully, nothing wrong with that but it was clearly missing some Indonesian root. I realized in the modern age cosmetic world, sitting side by side with an element of tradition may seem “old” and irrelevant but that’s where I wanted to explore. To fuse tradition and modern makeup and make it contemporary, while still be relevant and beautifully pleasing for the eyes and soul. To be relevant with our traditional elements in design, because traditional heritage will always be relevant living in Indonesia.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My fascination of the floral and botanical world led me to draw and illustrate them. Highly enchanted by their colors and organic form. If possible, I always incorporate tropical or local plants in my illustration and KUSUMA’s brand, to show the Indonesian identity and educate consumers about our lovely floral world. Any projects of mine will always be consistent with a touch of heritage.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh this is hard! I live back and forth in Bali and Jakarta so there are TONS of good places. Food-wise, go to the crummiest places in the city because that’s where the gold is. Excellent burst of flavors in every bite. If you’re a sweet tooth like me, go to any local restaurants and get an Es Cendol (Iced Cendol). An iced sweet dessert, a mix of coconut milk, rice flour jelly and palm sugar syrup (gula jawa). Our gula jawa is incomparable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The love and unmeasurable support from husband, I Wayan Thaison Horn, and my parents. My parents knew their daughter is terrible at math and physics and set aside all that with wholeheartedly (sometimes promiscuously) support my artistic endeavours. Cheers to them!

Instagram: @kusumakosmetika

Other: kusumakosmetika@gmail.com

Image Credits
Product Images: Studiowoork (Instagram: @studiowoork) Personal photo: Iluminen Photography (Instagram: @iluminen)

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