Never Give Up and Always Learning Lead Fahmi Badres to be Successful in Netherland
Fahmy Badres at Jolo Fashion Group, Netherland

Fahmi Badres is one of the alumni of IGTC (International Garment Training Center) who graduated in year 2011 majoring Marketing, Merchandising, and Quality Assurance. Now, he is working as Product Manager/Fashion Developer at Jolo Fashion Group, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherland, Europe.

He is handling NONO and Nobell Kids wear starting from salesman sample until bulk production. But, nevertheless also involved in creative part helping the designer making ccollections book, overview supplier, and editing photo of the photoshoot.

Here are his story how he started his career in Indonesia after graduating from IGTC until become a success person abroad.

How did you start your career in Netherland?

I started the job after graduating from IGTC as Quality Assurance in factory in Subang for around 1,5 years. Actually, I wanted to be Merchandiser at that time and had refuse that position because I fell like that job didn’t fit me. But, I kept the job as it is and worked professionally at that time.

However, it leads me to gain more experience. After finished the contract, I went back to hometown and got the job that I wanted as a Merchandiser in a factory. But, after some times I decided to join the family business, which is a home industry that’s running for the garment (mukena).

Before I started the school, I tried to apply for scholarships to study abroad, but I failed. I didn’t give up and kept saving money and I decided to go abroad, to visit my family and to study in Netherland. My very first job experience in Netherland was as a Hotel receptionist.

I studied in ROC van Amsterdam majoring in Fashion Developer (Jeans school, specific as denim developer) for an international course which is similar to IGTC one year course that gives specific garment subjects. After finished the study, I work as MD fashion development at Jolo Fashion Group.

What is your position and job description in that company now? What brand do you handle?

I work as a Merchandiser at Jolo Fashion Group, handling for NONO and Nobell’s kids wear. I am responsible for salesman sample, AP, and PP sample which includes giving a fitting and workmanship comment, until the bulk production.

I made a collection book, did photoshop of the photoshoot, and making an overview supplier. I like it the most when we are having a photoshoot session. We are a girl kids brand, it’s so much fun looking at a kid doing their action in front of the camera. They are adorable and cute!

What is your motivation working in Netherland? Why not other countries?

First, I really want to work abroad and it was my dream since long time ago. Why I choose Netherland? I traveled to some European countries, such as France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Spain, etc. But, I found the Netherland is more homie since I could fin lots of Indonesian and any Indonesian food.

It’s maybe because the Netherlands was colonial with Indonesia for around 3,5 centuries. I could found tempeh, tofu, kerupuk, varieties of sambals, and lots of Indonesian dishes. It makes me feel comfortable and like a home here. Once I miss my hometown or my country, I can eat Indonesian foods at there.

In which country do you handle the production?

We pass the order for bulk production in Chinas. Hopefully we can give the order to factory in Indonesia also one day.

How is the difference between working in Indonesia and Netherland?

There are no significant differences between working in Fashion Industry in Indonesia and in Netherland since it is in the same field in fashion. The difference is just I’m working as the buyer and I am responsible for the decision that I and my team made for the product that we develop into the finished garment in the shop.

The working environment is more relaxed in Netherlands. We work for fun and we do what we love. Of course, there is pressure in any job, but it is we do it as our responsibilities. There is no boss here, but there is a team that supports each other.

The working time is also flexible, I need to work 8 hours a day including the break times, I could choose the working time in anytime before 10.00 am. For example, if I start the job at 07.00 am in the morning then I could leave at 03.00 pm. If starts at 10.00 am then I should leave at 06.00 pm.

We are responsible for the working times ourselves. We can work at home also or anywhere sometimes.

Did you feel culture shock in Netherland?

Culture shock? Of course yes, because we come from different country and culture. But I can’t tell much here. Hehe.

Could you give some words or motivation to all of students in IGTC-Indo?

First, Keep learning.

Do not stop learning new stuff. Well, at my age I’m still learning new stuff, it’s good to improve our skills. At the moment I struggle with the language here, but I don’t stop learning the language which is Dutch something very new for me, even though the daily work communication in the office is English.

Second, Don’t give up.

Do not easily give up on what you have right now, be grateful, and keep trying to achieve your goal in a professional way. In my experience, I didn’t give up on what I had in my first job as Quality Assurance before. I gained experience from that to achieve to goals that I wanted as a merchandiser, but I kept dreaming until I could do to Netherland.

Third, Chase your dreams.

I dreamed to work abroad and I kept those dreams as a motivation, and I gave all the efforts and belief in myself that those dreams will come true.