When Fashion Turns Into a Fiasco
JAKARTA – A look‑good catastrophe unfolded for Indonesian designer Anniesa Hasibuan, the woman whose hijab‑draped runway collection once turned heads at New York Fashion Week. Now she’s facing a 18‑year prison stint, thanks to a multi‑million‑dollar con that had her and her husband swindling clients on pilgrimages to Mecca.
The Dream Deal That Went South
- Anniesa and her husband, Andika Surachman, founded First Travel in 2009 to ferry travellers to Saudi Arabia’s holy city.
- By early last year, the venture had paid for trips but sent none of its clients all the way to Mecca.
- The court found the duo had swindled at least 848 billion rupiah (about S$81.8 million) from thousands of customers.
From Glitz to Guilt
For a short while, Anniesa was a fashion maestro. She showcased hijab‑synchronized dresses at New York Fashion Week and had her work featured in London, Istanbul and Cannes. She even gorged the world with glamorous photo‑ops of her and her spouse jetting around in designer stazz.
But the same glitter that lit up runways also lit a gasoline‑filled spark in the courtroom. The judge dropped a €10‑billion slap on her account and handed Andika a 20‑year gig behind bars, along with an identical fine. Prosecutors had begged for 20‑year sentences for both.
What Went Wrong?
“Both parties have shown undeniable guilt in forging a crime together,” declared the presiding judge, known simply as Sobandi. In a world of polished fabrics, this case was a thread that pulled the conspiratory knit back to a raw fabric of deception.
Beyond the Runway: The Empire That Fell
Following the verdict, the once‑glorious brand that wowed audiences at global fashion weeks stands as a cautionary tale: one misstep can turn a runway star into a jailbird.
Learning Moments
- Never compromise integrity for profit.
- Transparency is as vital as a shimmer.
- Even fame holds no rosy glow when the truth is bathed in gloom.
Final Verdict
Anniesa Hasibuan’s journey from celebrated designer to convicted fraudster serves as a reminder that in the high‑fashion game, the biggest bill is often the one that rewrites your future.
