Wilsen Willim brings Indonesia’s traditional textiles to life in Reinventing Tenun

Wilsen Willim’s latest fashion journey began far from a studio sketchbook. The Indonesian designer traveled across islands, met artisans, and explored the stories woven into traditional fabrics while searching for new ways to bring Indonesian wastra into contemporary fashion.

The journey appears in the six-part documentary Reinventing Tenun: Journey to Algorithm. The series marks Willim’s first decade in the fashion industry and documents the making of his first haute couture collection, Algorithm: Universal Language.

The documentary follows Willim through four regions with distinct weaving traditions. In Jembrana, Bali, he explored songket weaving. In South Bandung, West Java, he traced Garut silk. In Kapuas Hulu and Putussibau, West Kalimantan, he studied Iban Dayak weaving. He also visited Halaban in West Sumatra, where Minang songket remains part of the community’s traditional heritage.

The project presents woven cloth as more than a combination of patterns and colors. Its production carries inherited knowledge, hand skills, cultural identity, and the lives of artisans who keep the traditions alive across generations.

Willim’s exploration extended beyond weaving. The Algorithm: Universal Language collection involved Christina Harjanto of Ecotouch, who developed recycled denim fiber, and Eva of Oemah Batiqu, who brought Cirebon’s Ciwaringin batik expertise. Other collaborators included leather brand Peau, footwear brand Bocorocco, and accessories brand Subeng Klasik. Tasya Kusnadi of Yayasan Kawan Lama supported the project, while Sjamsidar Isa served as a mentor and was involved through her work with the Indonesia Fashion Designer Council and Cita Tenun Indonesia.

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Through six episodes, the documentary follows Wilsen as he explores four regions of Indonesia to uncover the richness of weaving while examining how traditional fabrics can continue to develop sustainably.