SOMA D PANDJI
PERSONAL
NAME
Ayu Soma Dharmapani Pandji
ADDRESS (AUS)
55 Birkenhead Street
North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3068
61 03 94895909
61 03 94895909
TELEPHONE
FACSIMILE
ADDRESS (USA)
TELEPHONE
Whitehall Apartments
No 324, 410 Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, Philadelphia, PA, USA
1 610 6589040
EMAIL
somapandji@yahoo.com.au
WEB SITE
www.somapandji.com
DATE OF BIRTH
10.12.64
LANGUAGES
English and Italian (Conversational)
INTERESTS
Art, Music, Film, Travel, Reading, Dancing, Sailing
BIOGRAPHY
Soma was born Alida Giovannini and raised in Melbourne, Australia, to Italian immigrants. In 1999, Alida was
knighted as an honorary member of the Indonesian Royal Family and given the title Lady Ayu Soma
Dharmapani of Pandji. Artist, designer and healer, she now focuses her passion in painting, her work is inspired
by her experiences, travels, Buddhist themes and spirituality. Soma has had private art training since the age
of ten. She has recently undertaken a Diploma of Visual Art at RMIT University and co-founded art classes
under the King Pandji Sakti Foundation.
Over the past ten years Soma has travelled to Indonesia studying the ancient Healing Arts of the Sri Vijaya
Buddhist Monastery and the Arts of Exotic Beauty of the Royal Families of Indonesia and the Lineage of King
Pandji Sakti. In addition she has a Certificate in Oriental Therapy/Holistic Healing and Diploma of
Aromatherapy. She has developed clientele in Australia for Aromatherapy treatments, relaxation massage
and consults offering assistance in physical, personal and emotional difficulties. She is a Black Belt in the
Martial Art of Pancha Tanmantra and studies the Art of Samara Tantra (The Art of Loving Relationships,
Refinement, Beauty and Sensuality) and Traditional Balinese Trance Dancing.
In her role as a Fashion Designer, Soma travels the world researching changing trends in colour, style and
fabric direction, co-ordinating ranges for various clients and markets. For the past sixteen years she has
designed and consulted for both Australian and International Fashion Companies. She has a Bachelor of Arts
in Fashion and a Certificate in Desktop Publishing and Graphics and is a regular Lecturer in Design Studies
and Life Drawing at RMIT University.
To this day she continues to travel, research and study of the ancient Royal Arts, Culture and Spirituality of Bali,
Java and Lombok. Her purpose in life is to share the teachings she has learned through her vision as an artist
and healer.
FASHION
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
1982
Higher School Certificate
Chavoin/Emmaus Ladies College
Melbourne, Australia
1986
Bachelor of Arts in Fashion
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
1987
Executive Training Program Certificate
Sportsgirl/Sportscraft Group, Melbourne, Australia
1996
Certificate in Desktop Publishing and Graphics
I.C. Technologies, Apple, Melbourne, Australia
1996
Certificate in Small Business Management (Word 6, Excel 5)
Skillshare Training Centre, Melbourne, Australia
2001
Diploma of Visual Arts
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
AWARDS
1984
Mabel Clifton Smith Award for Art and Design
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
1986
Dupont Lycra Fashion Awards,
Swimwear Finalist, Sydney, Australia
1986
Emily McPherson College Council Award
Student Par Excellence/Fashion
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
1989
Fashion Industry of Australia Awards
Finalist in Better Daywear, David Lawrence
Sportsgirl/Sportscraft Group, Melbourne, Australia
1990
David Jones/FashionIndustry of Australia Awards
Finalist in Casual, Better Daywear and Eveningwear
Adele Palmer, Palmer Corporation, Melbourne, Australia
HISTORY
Soma began studying Fashion Illustration at night school in 1979, at RMIT University, whilst studying at
Secondary College. Her passion for clothing and design at University won her numerous awards and a full
time design position for Australia’s largest leading fashion company Sportsgirl/Sportscraft Group. It was whilst
designing for Sportsgirl with Australia’s leading design/retail team that Soma developed her comprehensive
understanding of colour, textiles, range co-ordination, garment construction, fit and production knowledge.
Since this time, Soma has developed her career skills to include positions of design, product placement and
development, merchandising, marketing and account management.
Travelling extensively and regularly within Australia and Europe (London, Paris, Barcelona, Cologne,
Amsterdam), America (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu) and Asia, working for extensive
periods in Hong Kong and China (Shanghai) on research, sourcing and buying trips. On these trips, she has
been responsible for forecasting new trends and direction, setting colour direction, sourcing latest product,
textiles, trims and silhouettes for up-coming seasons, suitable for Australian and International markets.
DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES
Undertaking
research
into
fashion
trends
and
consumer
requirements.
Sourcing
and
purchasing textiles and clothing samples on overseas buying trips. Developing garment styling concepts and
co-ordinating ranges for launch into various target markets, selecting and developing exclusive fabrics, prints,
artwork, embroideries, grahics, and colour palettes.
Providing input into company image, visuals, editorial and advertising. Preparing storyboards, specification
drawings and illustrations for publication.
Supervising/Developing/Participating in all related garment production procedures (lab-dips, fabric tests,
product construction, counter samples, fittings, costings, production placement, delivery, store
merchandising, administration and the like.
Successfully managing large client accounts and maintaining margins/budgets. Conducting presentations to
national sales teams, management and staff.
Excellent communication/organisational skills and commitment to deadlines. Demonstrated ability to
collaborate within a creative team. Pleasant, approachable disposition, ensuring productive liaisons with
management, staff, suppliers, clients.
CAREER OVERVIEW
1984-1989
SPORTSGIRL PTY LTD
Designer, David Lawrence and D.L.Y. Labels
Up-market national ladies retail designer wear with European handwriting.
1989-1990
CHERRY LANE PTY LTD
Designer
Re-launch of young, fashionable wholesale/retail girls/ladieswear range. Extensive
travel and work conducted from Hong Kong based head office.
1990-1991
PALMER CORPORATION PTY LTD
Senior Designer, Adele Palmer
Up-market directional and innovative ladieswear, wholesale/retail range, with
American designer influence.
1991-1995
FASHION CORPORATION PTY LTD
Product Developer and Marketing Manager
Managing, forecasting and developing men’s and ladies product for the companies
largest national accounts including- Sportsgirl, Eastcoast, Myer, Myer-Direct, Esprit
and Sussans. Responsibilities included regular travel to Hong Kong head office and
quarterly international sourcing trips.
1996
MY SIZE PTY LTD
Contract Designer
Specialising in range co-ordination and product development of larger ladies sizes,
including:- styling, graphics, fittings, story boards, technicals illustrations and sales
manuals.
1996-1997
PALMER CORPORATION/JAG WOMENSWEAR PTY LTD
Contract Designer
Specialising in range co-ordination for ‘Not 100%’ Retail Outlets. Selecting styling for
excess fabric and trims, liasing with production. Specials/Range development for
national department store, David Jones.
1997- PRESENT
RMIT UNIVERSITY
Contract Design Development/ Life Drawing Lecturer
Invited by Janet Mead, Head of the Department of Fine Art in Fashion, to lecture 1st
and 2nd Year Design Students. Teaching design development techniques (fashion
illustration, storyboard/presentation) and life drawing (human figure).
1997-1998
D.P. CLOTHING PTY LTD
Contract Product Developer
Developing product for the companies largest South American clothing account
Fondon, Pty, Ltd. Co-ordinating women’s, men’s and childrenswear ranges for offshore production in China. Responsibilities included the development of product
from design through to fit, specifications, samples, production and delivery to
customer. Travelling to China, liaising with factories and establishing company office
in Nanjing integral requirements of this role.
1999
KANGAN INSTITUTE OF TAFE
Contract Quality Assurance Lecturer
Fashion design department second year, quality assurance lecturer. Guest speaker
at the Australian Chamber of Manufacturing and at The Kangan Institute Open Day,
1998.
1999-2001
FILA AUSTRALASIA PTY LTD
Contract Designer
Forecasting and developing colour, fabrication, graphics and product for Fila
women’s, men’s, childrenswear beach, gym, golf, street/sportswear, Summer
2000/Winter 2001.
2000-2001
PALMER CORPORATION /JAG WOMENSWEAR PTY LTD (COLORADO GROUP)
Contract Designer
Forecasting and developing product for the re-launch of the Jag Womenswear label
Spring 2001. Responsibilities in this position included- Direction of the company
image/merchandising/advertising technical drawings, liasing with patternmakers,
developing /sourcing fabrics, trims and artwork, fittings, costings, liasing with
local/off-shore production, supervising design assistant, cadet designer, graphics
and merchandise teams. Conducting presentation at national sales conference.
1995 - PRESENT
FREELANCE/CONTRACT CLIENTS
RIP CURL PTY LTD
SUNBREAKER PTY LTD
LIGHTNING BOLT PTY LTD
HANG TEN PTY LTD
BLUEGUM PTY LTD,
DACHET PTY LTD
CARLTON AND UNITED BREWERIES CORPORATE CLOTHING
(VICTORIA BITTER, FOSTERS, SUB ZERO)
BODY MAP PTY LTD
G.B.H. HOLDINGS
TEAMWORX PTY LTD
SCRIBBLY GRAPHICS CHILDRENSWEAR
HEMDEN SHIRTS
Development and co-ordination of ranges, artwork, graphics and product for
leading clothing brands within Australia. Men’s, women’s, children’s, sportswear,
streetwear, surf/beachwear and corporate/promotional apparel.
REFERENCES
Mr Peter Dodgshun
Director/Owner Teamworx Pty Ltd Australia
Ph- 61 3 94975700
Mr Trevor Briggs
Managing Director Flying Dragon Enterprises
Australia/International Pty Ltd
Ph- 61 3 98504173
Ms Sophie Holt
Designer, Witchery Australia
Ph- 61 3 98180221
Lady Karen Merkel
Director/Owner of Karen Merkel Designs International
Ph- 61 3 95295272
Ms Karen Webster
Head of Fashion and Textile Design
RMIT University, Melbourne
Ph- 61 3 99252782
VISUAL ART
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
1978-1986
GOGLIA ART SCHOOL
Member and Private Student, Melbourne, Australia
1986-1990
THE DONCASTER AND TEMPLESTOWE ARTISTS SOCIETY
Volunteer, Student and Member, Melbourne, Australia
1991-1995
THE VICTORIAN ARTISTS SOCIETY
Volunteer, Student and Member, Melbourne, Australia
1996
I.C. TECHNOLOGIES, APPLE
Certificate in Desktop Publishing and Graphics, Melbourne, Australia
2001
RMIT UNIVERSITY
Diploma of Visual Art, Melbourne, Australia
CAREER OVERVIEW
1997- PRESENT
RMIT UNIVERSITY
Lecturer of Design Development and Life Drawing for B.A Fashion
Invited by Janet Mead, Head of the Department of Fine Art in Fashion, to lecture 1st
and 2nd Year Design Students. Teaching design development techniques (fashion
illustration, storyboard/presentation) and life drawing (human figure).
2000 - PRESENT
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, HEIDE
Volunteer and Member, Melbourne, Australia
Liasing with visitors to the gallery and involved in the preparation of openings.
Experience included- floor security, welcoming at front desk, reception and book/gift
shop, phone enquires, sales at cash register. Working throughout the duration of
exhibitions such as- Constructiuons in Colour-The work of Yvonne Audette 1950’s1960’s (Apr 2000), A Question of Balance- John Brack 1974-1994 (May 2000), Jeffrey
Smart Retrospective (Jun 2000), Saltwater, Yirrkala Bark Paintings of Sea Country (Sep
2000), Australian Abstraction 1970- ??.
2000 - PRESENT
KING PANDJI SAKTI VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
Co-Founder and Teacher of Life Drawing, Melbourne, Australia
A non-profit, charity organisation, encouraging people to re-awaken passion,
creativity and self-expression via drawing and art. The weekly classes focus on
gaining insight into ourselves (and others) as a process towards inner healing and
transformation. Utilising the practice of calm-abiding meditation, understanding
principles of line, tone, colour, mass, composition and observation and expression of
the human form via drawing and art.
EXHIBITIONS
1986 – 1990
The Doncaster/Templestowe Artists Society, Melbourne, Australia
Group Exhibitions
1999
The Crown Casino Complex, Melbourne, Australia
‘Italian Artists in Australia’, Group Exhibition
1999
Aardwolf Galleries, Melbourne, Australia
‘Upcoming Artists’, Group Exhibition
1999-2000
RMIT University, Student Art Space, Melbourne, Australia
Annual Student Group Exhibition
2000
The Kulin Nation, Coranderk Aboriginal Reserve/Burial Ground, Healesville, Australia
‘108 Eucalypyus Leaf Hommage’, Site Specific Installation/Performance Art study.
HISTORY
Soma has had private art training since the age of ten. In 1986, International artist, Antonio Goglia invited her
to become his private student. Highly acclaimed for his portrait, landscape and still-life work, for eight years
Soma studied with her mentor, learning and reproducing classical and contemporary painting techniques. As
a young adult Soma’s interest expanded to tonal oil painting and by 1985, Soma began to paint with
renowned Melbourne still life painter Peg Hyville. In 1990, Soma became a member of The Victorian Artists
Society and studied with various masters of classical, tonal, still life, nude and portrait painting.
Soma’s recent Post Graduate Studies (Major Painting, minor drawing, sculpture, printmaking) at RMIT
University, have enabled her to study with contemporary Australian artists- Robert Hollingworth, Vera Moller,
Steven Cox, Peter Westwood, Lucy Elliot, Loretta Quinn, Jasmina Cininas and Alison Weaver. Over the last five
years, Soma has explored mixed media and has developed an expressionist approach in her painting
practice.
REFERENCES
Mr Derek O’Connor
International Artist/Lecturer
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Ph- 61 2 62406857
Mr Robert Hollingworth
International Artist/Lecturer R.M.I.T, Australia
Ph- 61 3 99254305
HEALING ARTS
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
1988 -1991
SIDDHA YOGA FOUNDATION
Student and Member of Hatha Yoga and Siddha Yoga Meditation.
1995
PANDJI NATURAL THERAPIES CENTRE
Certificate in Oriental Therapy and Healing, Melbourne, Australia
1995
PANCHA TANMANTRA SCHOOL OF HEALING ARTS
The Healing and Martial Art of Shaolin Temple Kung-Fu and Purasothama Yoga
Black Belt Level in Pancha Tanmantra, Melbourne, Australia
1996
ESSENTIAL THERAPEUTICS SCHOOL OF AROMATIC MEDICINE
Diploma of Aromatherapy
1996
ESSENTIAL THERAPEUTICS SCHOOL OF AROMATIC MEDICINE
Swedish Massage
Aromatic Medicine
Regenerative Skin Care
Naturopathic Principles of Nutrition
Kinesiology (Touch for Health)
Bach Flower Remedies
Melbourne, Australia
1991- PRESENT
KING PANDJI SAKTI VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
Member and Student of Surya Sevanna (One of the oldest Mahayana, Vajrayana
and Ati Yoga Buddhist schools in the world) Courses undertaken in the Art of
Meditation, Samara Tantra and Traditional Balinese Trance Dance.
HEALING ARTS CAREER OVERVIEW
1996
ESSENTIAL SPIRIT PTY LTD
Personal Assistant/MassageTherapist
Involved in all aspects of sales, marketing, office administration and promotion of
essential oil products. Research/liaising with existing client base and establishment of
new accounts. Treating private clients with relaxation and therapeutic massage.
1996 – PRESENT
ALIDA ESSENTIAL OIL TREATMENTS
Private Healing/MassageTherapist
Treating and counselling clients utilising the healing properties of plants and essential
oils, specialising in stress, emotional problems, backache, minor ailments and skin
conditions. Also encompassing moxabustion, accupressure-massage, quassar,
cupping, diagnosis and 5-element food theory.
2000 - PRESENT
KING PANDJI SAKTI VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
Co-Founder and Teacher of Life Drawing, Melbourne, Australia
Responsibilities within the organization have included- Yadnya (Offerings) and Social
Co-ordinator.
Art Therapy aimed at encouraging people to awaken passion, creativity and selfexpression. The classes focus on gaining insight into others and ourselves as a process
towards inner healing and transformation, by utilising the practice of calm-abiding
meditation, understanding principles of line, tone, colour, mass, composition and
observation and expression of the human form via drawing and art.
HISTORY
Since 1991, Soma has trained and practised extensively under the guidance of HRH Ratu Vajra Kumara Pandji
Pandita Pandji Sakti. Crown Prince of Bali, Incarnate Mahamudra and Tantric Master and Buddhist Lama,
holder of the authentic Vajrayana lineage in the Sakya Tradition of Bali, Indonesia and 12th generation direct
descendant of the 16th Century Enlightened King, Pandji Sakti of Indonesia. Prince Ratu is a Doctor of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Artist and Grand Master of the Martial Art Pancha Tanmantra. Prince Ratu
teaches extensively throughout the world in centres in Australia, USA, England, Ireland and Indonesia.
Soma has also trained and practised for the past four years under the guidance of HRH Marianne Maetrie
Vairocani Devi Pandji Sakti and Lady Lestari Djuvita Devi of Pandji. Princess Marianne is an International Artist,
Model and Teacher of Samara Tantra (The Art of Loving Relationships, Refinement, Beauty and Sensuality)
and Traditional Balinese Trance Dancing. Lady Lestari is Ambassador to the two most influential Royal Families
of Pandji and Djelantik, Bali and Vice President to the King Pandji Sakti Sangha, International. She also
teaches Samara Tantra and Balinese Trance Dancing.
In 1999, Soma was knighted as an honorary member of the Indonesian Royal Family and given the title Lady
Ayu Soma Dharmapani of Pandji. Till present day she continues her travelling, research and study of the
Ancient Royal Arts, Culture and Spirituality of Bali, Java, Solo and Lombok, participating in annual pilgrimages
and retreats within Australia, United Kingdom and Indonesia and travels aiming to share the teachings she
has been given.
REFERENCES
Lady Lestari of Pandji
Ambassador to Pandji and Djelantik Royal Families of Bali, Indonesia
International Vice President of K.P.S.S Melbourne, Australia.
Ph- 61 3 94895909
Mr Ben Lilagen
Editor and Creative Director of ‘Refuge’ ezine newsletter
Ph- 61 3 98195315