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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 Revives Traditional Textiles on Global Stage

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 showcases traditional Indonesian textiles, known as 'wastra,' celebrating cultural heritage.
  • The event highlights 'Ulos Simetria' from North Sumatra, reinterpreting traditional fabrics for modern, everyday wear.
  • Designers collaborated with local governments and UMKM to bridge traditional values with contemporary aesthetics, aiming to make Ulos more accessible.

Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026, held at the Jakarta International Convention Center from July 29 to August 2, 2026, has transformed into a vibrant celebration of the nation's rich textile heritage. This 14th iteration of the annual event brings together fashion enthusiasts, small and medium enterprises (UMKM), government bodies, and stakeholders to honor 'wastra,' a cornerstone of Indonesian cultural identity.

Wastra, encompassing the intricate patterns, techniques, and deep philosophical meanings woven into every fabric, holds a special place in Indonesian society. This year's IFW places the spotlight on the majestic textiles of North Sumatra, under the theme "Ulos Simetria." The event features a dynamic program including trade exhibitions, discussion forums, entertainment, and daily fashion shows.

A key highlight is the "Nadi di Tondi" collection, a collaboration between Putu Laura, Head of Pendopo, and designer Julia Orlandy. This collection reimagines North Sumatran Ulos fabric, aiming to shed its traditional, rigid image and present it as fresh, everyday wear. "Our market is essentially how to make people not see North Sumatran weaving as heavy," Putu Laura explained during a press conference on July 30, 2026.

Our market is essentially how to make people not see North Sumatran weaving as heavy.

— Putu LauraHead of Pendopo, explaining the goal of the 'Nadi di Tondi' collection at a press conference on July 30, 2026.

Transforming Ulos into modern attire required extensive discussions and design revisions to blend traditional values with contemporary aesthetics, resulting in collections that exude both elegance and casual appeal. The cultural significance of Ulos was further emphasized through the Batak tradition of "Mangulosi," where Putu Laura and Julia Orlandy were adorned with Ulos fabric on stage, underscoring the deep cultural roots embedded in the designs.

Designers from Medan, including Mayenda Pebri Dita Purba, Ayu Andira Ginting, Harry Hasibuan, and Riki Damanik, also presented their interpretations of Medan's Ulos in collaboration with the Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda). Ayu Andira Ginting shared a unique challenge from the Mayor of Medan to interpret Ulos through the concept of the four seasons, with her own contribution focusing on spring.

Here we were challenged by the Mayor to bring the four seasons, namely spring, autumn. So, I was challenged with spring.

— Ayu Andira GintingA local designer from Medan, describing the creative brief for interpreting Ulos fabric.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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