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Indonesia should market more traditional fabrics: Bekraf head
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Indonesia should market more traditional fabrics, head of Bekraf, Triawan Munaf, said. (Shutterstock/Khairul Effendi)
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s economic competition tightens, the country has to maximize its own resources and capabilities to maintain its existence in the market. Cultural heritage is among resources that should be a big help, Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) head Triawan Munaf advised.
“It is how we uplift and monetize our cultural heritage so that they bring prosperity to the craftsmen,” Triawan said during the FIMELAFest press conference at Gandaria City shopping mall in South Jakarta on Friday.
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“We don’t want to see fabric maker suffer anymore. We want them to make new creations, supported by both young and senior designers so that they can rule the Indonesian market. That is the priority,” he said.
About the wishes of many fabric merchants to dive into the international markets, Triawan said it was more important to prosper in the local market first and explore more use of Indonesian fabrics.
“[Consumers have to] be brave to pay high prices. Don’t market Indonesian products as cheap products. With the serious efforts by designers and fabric craftsmen, [Indonesians need to] create fine products so that they can be sold at a high price,” he said.
Triawan explained the fashion industry contributes to more than 30 percent of the overall revenue generated by Indonesia’s creative economic sector. Last year, it raked in Rp. 425 trillion and is expected to reach the Rp. 500 trillion mark this year, he stated.
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Creative director of fashion line Ikat Indonesia Didiet Maulana stressed the importance of appreciating the fabric-making process.
“Both merchants and craftsmen will be happy when we use Indonesian fabrics. We are helping many people by using it," he said, “The interesting part of Indonesian fabrics lies in the process of making them”, he added.
He cited that woven cloth, the main material used in his fashion line, took around three weeks to be made through a careful process. “In my opinion, this process is very expensive and it could be Indonesia’s strength to rise on the world’s fashion stage,” he stated.
FIMELAFest celebrates the online fashion media platform anniversary with a three-day Indonesian fabrics festival from Aug 19 to 21 at Gandaria City in South Jakarta. The festival features fashion shows by Indonesian young designers, including Mel Ahyar, Nina Nikicio, Setlla Rissa, Didiet Maulana and Barli Asmara. (asw)
