Dubai- Masaader News
Indonesia Modest Fashion Day Brings An Artisanal Touch To The UAE
20 Indonesian modest fashion designers meet local UAE designers at Expo 2020’s first
modest fashion show celebrating Indonesia through ready to wear textiles
held its first modest fashion show. Spotlighting 20 Indonesian and 2 local UAE designers in the spirit of celebrating textiles, art and culture through a unique fashion collaboration. With an aim to support Indonesian designers heavily affected by the pandemic and in efforts to form a long-term relationship between the Indonesia textiles sector and the UAE. The event titled Indonesia Modest Fashion Day, that is part of Bank Indonesia Special Week at Expo 2020 and Road to the G20 Presidency of Indonesia 2022, was held on 13 March in the Indonesia Pavilion from 4pm- 6pm, encompassing a melting pot of the modest fashion industry of two countries: Indonesia and UAE. Beside the fashion shows, the event included a curated performance about Indonesian textiles and a mini exhibition.
Highlighting the artisanal touch in modest wear through the meeting of Indonesian and UAE talents. Collections included both womenswear and menswear designs, with a mix of established globally recognised brands and hotly tipped emerging talent coming from different islands of Indonesia, as well as two selected local UAE designers reinterpretations of designs using Indonesian textiles – both already known for their great works in modest fashion.
Meet Indonesia- the archipelago country with tens of thousands of islands known for their countless beautiful traditional textiles and crafts. Keeping the art of weaving alive the country with more than 300 tribes have been crafting handmade product for centuries. Famous for intricate designs made by hand, with love and dedication. Their textile legacy not only includes Batik, but also Songket, Ikat, Lurik, Tapis and many more techniques. Saluting the gem of Indonesia, the modest fashion show unveiled the regions finest textiles hand drawn with wax, weaved and threads stitched one by one, resulting in an authentic masterpiece of Indonesian heritage.
When it comes to modest fashion, this sector remains one of the biggest fashion sectors in Indonesia and is considered as “the main wheel of fashion” in the country, with the biggest Muslim population country in the world. The modest fashion industry started in Indonesia as early as the 1970’s and accelerated nationwide as a sustainable trend since 2011.
Franka Soeria, co-founder #Markamarie and founder of Council of Modest Fashion, with branches in 6 countries comments – “Modest fashion is a huge industry in Indonesia. The main difference between Indonesian modest fashion products to the rest of the world, is our products are heavily influenced by our culture. The heritage is being translated into ready to wear designs, resulting in unique, artisanal collections. Bringing something new “to the table” for the global arena of modest fashion.”
Names participating in Indonesia Modest Fashion Day included IKRA Indonesia (Indonesian Sharia Creative Industry), Tethuna, Thiffa Qaisty, Batik Chic by Novita Yunus, Tenun Gaya by Wignyo, Ija Kroeng, Bermock, Fatih Indonesia, Roemah Kebaya Vielga, Pala Nusantara, Rorokenes, Lamops, Anggia Syari, Gi Scarf by Tuty Adib, Sanet Sabintang, Ina Priyono and Charlie Bravo. As well as 2 iconic Indonesian brands; Itang Yunasz, known as one of the pioneers of modest fashion and Wearing Klamby, the ready to wear brand with a global following and 2.5 million followers on instagram.
In addition to regional talents from the UAE, Dulce by Safiya and Nuna Atelier by Noora Al Alawi, both famed within the modest fashion industry. Both designers showcased designs incorporating Indonesian textiles made by Putrimas, Tenun Pringgasela and Agung Bali. All in the name of a one-of -its kind fashion collaboration.
Safiya Abdallah, the founder of the brand Dulce by Safiya on her perspective about Indonesian textiles comments “When I first saw photos of the fabrics, I liked them but when I received them, I LOVED them! The quality of the designs are stunning and so unique”. While Noora Al Alawi Creative Director of Nuna Atelier reflects “It’s really unbelievable how Indonesian textiles and fabrics are handmade. The quality and standards of those textiles are very high which is why I am very thrilled to explore the ways in which we can incorporate them into our designs.”
Expo 2020 Participation An Effort To Help Indonesian Designers Rebound From Pandemic Slump
The event was powered by Bank Indonesia in collaboration with #Markamarie and supported by Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Dubai. Part of Bank Indonesia special week at Expo 2020 the events aim is to kick start and form a long-term fashion collaboration between Indonesia – in particular their textile sector and UAE. Ahead of the road to Indonesia’s highly anticipated G20 summit, due to take part later this year. Indonesia Modest Fashion Day and Bank Indonesia’s participation at Expo 2020 are all in an effort to contribute to addressing the impact of the pandemic on Indonesia and are an effort to recover and be stronger.
Franka Soeria, co-founder #Markamarie and founder of Council of Modest Fashion adds “Indonesia’s modest fashion industry was valued at around $12.4bn in pre pandemic years but has been severely hit by the pandemic slump in the last few years. Through our participation in Expo 2020 we are aiming to revive our textile and modest fashion market by scaling up production and focusing on boosting exports. Creating a more sustainable, inclusive and global economy for the future of Indonesia through key workstreams from our region such as modest fashion and artisan textiles”.
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