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A decade of Banyuwangi batik: Sustained ecosystem development
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he Banyuwangi regency administration continues to develop the local Banyuwangi batik ecosystem. One of the ways it does this is through the Banyuwangi Batik Festival (BBF), which has been running for a decade now. This year, the BBF was held at the Creative Hub, Integrated Tourism Terminal, on Oct. 21-22.
Thanks to this consistency, the batik industry and stores continue to grow, alongside the emergence of many young designers. Not only that, Banyuwangi batik patterns continue to evolve and be explored from the potential richness that Banyuwangi possesses.
Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani stated that the BBF is not just a fashion show but part of Banyuwangi's efforts to nurture the batik ecosystem in the region.
"The BBF is not merely a fashion display, but it is a catalyst for the rapid development of the Banyuwangi batik industry. Not only at its end but from the source to the finished product, from production to ready-to-wear clothing," said Ipuk during the BBF event.
Over the past 10 years, the local administration has consistently organized training sessions and brought national batik industry players and national designers to Banyuwangi to train the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in Banyuwangi batik.
"Alhamdulillah, now the batik ecosystem is starting to grow. Initially, there were only a dozen SMEs, but now there are 60 batik business players in Banyuwangi. Not to mention the designers whose designs are improving, and the batik craftsmen who are also growing. We hope this ecosystem continues to expand," Ipuk added.
This year's BBF, featuring the Sembruk Cacing motif, showcased dozens of batik outfits with a similar theme, including Muslim wear, casual wear, formal wear and party wear. Banyuwangi itself has 44 batik patterns that are alternated annually.
The event, now in its 10th year, is not just about holding a fashion show. It is accompanied by a series of other activities aimed at nurturing the younger generation's love for batik.
These activities include batik design competitions, fashion shows on pedestrian walkways, the selection of batik ambassadors, jazz performances featuring batik, batik markets and batik tasting sessions, all involving teenagers and students.
Fifin Andri, one of the batik entrepreneurs in Banyuwangi, hoped that this year's BBF would help boost the batik industry as tourism in Banyuwangi makes a comeback.
"Our business development is in line with tourism. After a downturn during the pandemic, things are getting back to normal. There are already many tourists visiting, and Banyuwangi is hosting various events, and MICE activities are in motion. This is very beneficial for us," said Fifin.
The event was attended by Financial Services Authority (OJK) commissioner Friderica Widyasari Dewi, head of the Bank Indonesia representative office in Jember Goenawan, Health Ministry expert staff Ubaidillah Amin and the head of Bakorwil V Jember Nanang Fajar. (*)
