An Indonesian artist, Alfaz Syam, created a unique item, namely a bra with a black keyboard. Through a brand called Button Network, the man from Sukabumi who now lives in Bogor designs unique keyboard items to be used as everyday items.
"Actually we have made this since March but we are still thinking about suitable content, and for now maybe we just want to upload it like this. KEYBOARD BN BRA By: @skatesuckers," wrote the Button Network account on Instagram, quoted Friday, November 4, 2022 .
In his virtual profile on Instagram, its creator, Alfaz Syam calls himself a kid who recycles keyboard waste into an art. "All the art that I make is wearable, most of which are bought from abroad, from Europe to America, 10 countries have shipped it," said Alfaz when contacted by Liputan6.com, Thursday, November 3, 2022.
He also told how he could get the idea to create various objects from the keyboard. According to him, it started when he saw photos on Pinterest, at that time Alfaz, who was obsessed with the fashion world, even bought a sewing machine to start his work, but it turns out that it has not been used now because he is busy fulfilling orders for his keyboard items.
Initially in February 2022, he made a keyboard slipper but not a full covered or regular version. Then Alfaz also made other things such as glasses, helmets and gloves, he even planned to make other things like a vest from a keyboard.
Viral Beginnings
Long story short, finally his work can be famous thanks to social media. At that time he uploaded his work on Instagram by pinning the account tag for buying and selling unique products such as @hypebeast, @hypebae, to @highsnobiety.
From there, many foreign people are interested in buying because photos of his work have been re-uploaded to accounts that have been followed by followers from all over the world. Not a few finally invited Button Network to collaborate and buy.
Alfaz said that at first he only wanted to do rework for items that were no longer used, such as keyboards. But now there are consumers who want their orders to be made with a new keyboard.
He further revealed that the keyboard paste when he first made his first sandal was easy to come off, but now it is very wearable and durable for users to wear because it uses special glue. Even his unique items are safe to wash, because he has used new techniques in their manufacture.
"I've tried to wash it strongly and it doesn't come off. Just wash it with special handling, for example soaking and brushing," he continued.
Selling Abroad
Alfaz admitted that he did not expect that the unique items from his keyboard could be sold overseas. At that time, the keyboard sandals that he made sold for 90 US dollars or the equivalent of Rp. 1.3 million per pair. "There was someone who wanted to order 500 pieces, but at that time they could not afford it," said Alfaz.
Several other keyboard items such as shoes sold for 175 US dollars or the equivalent of Rp. 3 million, then glasses were sold for 50 US dollars, which is around 700 thousand rupiah. As well as other items such as keyboard bras, they sell for 90 US dollars, which is equivalent to Rp. 1.4 million.
"Last month our glasses were bought by an outside photographer who wore it at London Fashion Week." This 25-year-old man said that most of his buyers were from outside, while only two Indonesians were interested in buying. With this potential, Alfaz admitted that in the future he wants to be able to make it a sustainable business.
Especially when the idea came up to make a keyboard bra, no one thought of anything, he just felt that the shape of the keyboard would fit when made into a bra. According to him, the keyboard bra, which is also viral on social media, can also be worn and washed, although the wearer might use it while sunbathing on the beach.