Everyone has either seen or fantasised it—a celebration so breathtaking it makes one question if what they are seeing is real or not. To some, it may take the form of a whimsical Château wedding while others may yearn for a marquee at the Prambanan temple. As distant of a dream as they may seem, exceptional event designer Alexander Gotama has turned them into reality for his clients. Just as he weaves their unique stories into mesmerising events, the founder of LXE Moments has similarly had to weave his own success, whilst still being deeply rooted in his values and unique experiences.
Known as one of the most sought after event design companies in Indonesia, LXE Moments has ceaselessly amazed guests with immersive events since its establishment in 2016. Often characterised by a beguiling mix of floral arrangements, fabrics, and lighting, the company continues to bring the most idyllic scenes to life just in time for its clients’ special day. Today, its portfolio includes destination weddings for the crème de la crème of Indonesian society to fashion shows for illustrious brands. Despite its sensational global reception, Alexander reveals that the magnitude of its success came as a pleasant surprise. “LXE Moments’ origin happened with no initial intention,” he admits, “I believe because I put all my heart to my work, I was able to reach people’s hearts. The first three years, the company started doing small scale events, and then transitioned into medium and large-scale productions for the past six years.”
Completely self-taught as an event designer, Alexander always veers on refined understatement, “I am always drawn to chic and unpretentious aesthetics that involve tasteful details, ones that don’t scream out loud.” Someone who endeavours to give guests an unparalleled experience, he believes that effective design speaks to the viewers, elevates the occasion, and provides them with a lasting impression. To this end, every event he has led has been memorable for him. However, one of the most unforgettable moments in Alexander’s memory was the time when he had to create a giant marquee, for a special occasion held on the lawn of the legendary Prambanan Temple.
With the many accomplishments he has gained, it often comes as a surprise that the aesthete once led a very different life. Unbeknownst to the world, behind Alexander Gotama’s creative demeanour is a man who once leveraged his dexterity with a scalpel instead of a drawing pen. Once upon a time, young Alexander diligently worked towards becoming a doctor. After obtaining his medical degree in 2015, he secured a prestigious medical internship in New York. Little did he know that whilst traversing the world of medicine there, his serendipitous time in the vibrant city would open his eyes to his other calling—event design. Upon returning to Indonesia, Alexander continued practicing as a physician whilst juggling the operations of his newfound company, LXE Moments, which was founded in 2016. Fast forward three years later, Alexander chose to trade in his white coat to focus on his company, thus giving him more freedom to scale-up its productions.
Despite starting afresh in a new industry, the pioneer would not trade his experience for the world and attributes his nuanced designs to the skills he gained as a doctor. To him, it was medicine that taught him the important values—discipline, perseverance, and responsibility— that would make him a great entrepreneur. Both a people-centred discipline, Alexander also highlights that his years in the medical field taught him how to understand people better, a skill that has proven fruitful in the client-centric event industry. Additionally, juggling the two worlds for some time also prepared him against one of the most common challenges in the industry—perfectionism.
It is not uncommon to hear about those who lose themselves in the pursuit of perfection, especially in an industry that revolves around aesthetics and status. Even prior to delving into event design, Alexander realised the importance of authenticity and maintaining confidence amidst external pressures. It is through this quiet confidence that he finds reassurance and self-worth. In addition to surrounding himself with his loved-ones, he maintains this inner peace by spending an ample amount of time by himself, be it in exploring museums, cinemas, or other zen spots in many corners of the world. Often, his travels and visits to the museum spark inspiration for his next event production. Aspiring to make each event interactive and emotional for guests, Alexander steers away from trends and instead works towards creating a meaningful experience for his clients: “I create visions and designs that are related to my personal growth and my client’s perspectives. While doing so, I also try to be responsible with the materials I use. Upcycle, recycle, and reuse—these are some things I always keep in mind when designing events and even for my personal outfits.”
Alexander’s interest in fashion and event design developed in a synchronised manner. His initial foray into design was inspired by a fashion show and he set forth to visualise the decorating concept. He found it fascinating that it awakened his passion for set designing ever since. Suffice to say, for the artistic man, fashion and event design truly go hand in hand. Couture, defined as the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client’s specific requirements and measurements, is one word that Alexander thinks of in describing what his work entails, albeit for events. His projects involve a lot of handiwork, starting from the fabrication, flowers, lighting, etc. In equal measure, he also tries to be responsible about the materials he uses for events, ensuring that he is never wasteful, and finds other uses for things that are already on hand. “This is something I always keep in mind when designing events and even for my personal outfits. I try to be creative in mixing and matching items to create different looks using the same clothes,” he adds.
With regards to his fashion sense, one look at Alexander’s Instagram feed would instantly reveal the kind of style he prefers: polished, simple, chic. Always carrying himself with savoir faire, the talented designer is often seen impeccably dressed in neutral tones and clean silhouettes. He carries himself with composure and confidence, one that he describes as “the result of being comfortable with oneself, secure in one’s abilities, and able to project an unassuming yet powerful presence without needing to constantly speak up or seek approval.” Just like LXE Moments’ portfolio, Alexander’s clean-cut looks speak volumes about his adoration for elegant, understated beauty that one associates with Italian luxury brand ZEGNA.
Founded in 1910, ZEGNA has established itself as a leading luxury menswear manufacturer that has set itself apart thanks to its first-class Italian craftsmanship and fabrics. Unaffected by the need for external validation or the rate at which trends come and go, both ZEGNA and Alexander Gotama remain authentic to their ideals. Their unconforming nature have led both to soar in their own rights, allowing them to create purposeful work that are equally valued by the rest of the world. Reflecting back on his own journey, Alexander Gotama makes a final remark that is aligned with ZEGNA’s own truth. “Live authentically according to your own pace and values,” he says, “Living at one’s own rhythm means embracing your unique path, finding balance, and accepting the natural flow of life with patience and purpose.”
Creative Direction: Erika Tania
Photography: Raja Siregar
Fashion Styling: Charlene Atalie
Grooming: Arimbi
