Batik is one of Indonesia's traditional fabrics that has been passed down from generation to generation. Most batik made with conventional techniques where the craftsmen directly draw the pattern with a heated liquid wax base. As one of the traditional fabrics, batik is mostly use to attend formal events. As time goes by, the modern generation has a different mindset where this is also happening with the development of fashion trends. Most young Indonesian considers batik as an old-fashioned and out-of-date fabric that is not suitable for use in the current contemporary era.
Along with the development of local fashion trends in Indonesia, many young designers are emerging with new and creative innovations. Many Indonesian labels have been currently using and incorporating batik elements in various clothing styles that are balanced with contemporary and trendy design, so they do not look like old-fashioned clothes. For this reason, batik has become more useable as a choice for daily wear appearance to young people since now they have adjusted to the current fashion trend. Moreover, by increasing the demand for this traditional fabric, we are also helping the welfare of batik artisans whose income depends on batik making activities. Here are 03 Indonesian batik labels that come out with modern togs that deserve the attention of Indonesia's young generation.
01. Oemah Etnik
Oemah Etnik is a local Indonesian fashion brand that was founded in 2013. The founder, Rizki Triana, has a mission to promote Indonesia's cultural heritage to the younger generation by turning traditional fabrics such as batik into modern design clothing. Moreover, the way chosen by Oemah Etnik to preserve our cultural heritage is by educating the customer about the story behind every piece of product crafted, which includes the origin of and the processes involved in making the clothing.
(Photo reference: Instagram.com. 2020. Login • Instagram. [online] Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/oemahetnik/> [Accessed 14 November 2020].)
02. Purana
Purana is a batik label that was founded by a fashion designer named Nonita Respati. Growing up from a Javanese family inspired the founder to pursue Indonesia's cultural heritage as her main design focus. Founded in 2008, Purana is derived from the Sanskrit language, which means 'old scripture' with a commitment to adopt local wisdom by utilizing works of art created by local craftsmen and combining them with fashionable pieces, patterns, and colors combinations. The collection offered is an experiment with traditional batik techniques, hand weaving, tie-dyeing, modern geometric motifs, and incorporating paintings into the fabric.
(Photo reference: Instagram.com. 2020. Login • Instagram. [online] Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/puranaindonesia/> [Accessed 14 November 2020].)
03. Sejauh Mata Memandang
Sejauh Mata Memandang is a fashion clothing brand that was founded by Chitra Subiyakto in 2014. This label aspires to create a contemporary clothing product produced from traditional Indonesian textiles that is more attractive to younger audiences by juxtaposing tradition with a casual modernity. The founder's desire somehow encourages the brand to collaborate with Batik artists from all over Indonesia, such as Sumba, Bali, and Java. Every Sejauh Mata Memandang product is designed to be timeless but still balanced with contemporary and realized through fabrics such as cotton and silk. These pieces deliberately aim for modern women who can show their personality through a trendy and original style.
(Photo reference: Instagram.com. 2020. Login • Instagram. [online] Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/sejauhmatamemandang/> [Accessed 14 November 2020].)
As a person who wants to enter the realm of business in the fashion industry, we also need to understand the richness of the local culture that had existed before. The more knowledge we have, the more ideas and innovations we can contribute to creating a product. Creating a product that combines traditional touch with a modern twist can be one of the options for us, the potential fashionpreneurs, to make clothes that fit with the trends and attractive for current young Indonesians and preserve Indonesian cultural heritage.
References:
Lovers, 7. (2018). 7 Indonesian Batik Labels That Are Perfect For Young Fashion Lovers. Retrieved 2 March 2020, from https://indonesiatatler.com/fashion-beauty/fashion/7-indonesian-batik-labels-that-are-perfect-for-young-fashion-lovers#slide-1
Our Story. (2020). Retrieved 2 March 2020, from https://puranaindonesia.com/pages/our-story
Hendhy Hutomo, h. (2016). On the Label: Sejauh Mata Memandang - Manual Jakarta. Retrieved 2 March 2020, from https://manual.co.id/article/sejauh-mata-memandang/
Home | Oemah Etnik : Shop Batik & Tenun Ready to wear. (2020). Retrieved 2 March 2020, from https://oemahetnik.com
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