Flowers, stars, leaves, eyes—you name it, and Irene Saputra can turn it into a flowing outfit. The South Jakarta artist, also known as Nengiren, brings her vibrant embroideries to life through nona kecil, her recurring “little woman” character who’s basically the ultimate fashion chameleon.
This bold, faceless figure has only two constants: a cropped bob and black boots. Everything else? Pure style experimentation. One day she’s rocking wide-leg trousers, the next she’s wearing a dress that looks like it has its own mood. Saputra even calls these looks her OOTDs, playfully borrowing the influencer hashtag for her stitched fashion moments.
Her pieces mix color, pattern, and repetition with a rhythm that feels almost musical. Some works—like the Arak Arakan Sepi series—lean abstract and bubbly, while others, like Terlalu Sibuk Bergaya, stick closer to real-world outfits. No matter the style, each tiny character feels like part of a beautifully coordinated squad.
With a background in graphic design and illustration, Saputra blends her love for fashion, storytelling, and embroidery into one joyful practice. Through these little stitched women, she celebrates personal expression, optimism, and her own journey through motherhood.
You can find more of her work on Instagram, and trust me—you’ll want to scroll.
