Actually, Ficus are quite often displayed without foliage to show off the amazing ramification that is possible. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is very common to see ficus completely defoliated for shows. These trees' development blow away much of what can be found in Japan, Europe or in the U.S..
Anyway, just because it's a tropical does not mean that it has to hide it's best features.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.bonsai365.com/
zone 8, Texas