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'Lurik' fashion show enlivens Kartini Day in Surakarta
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A model showcases a 'lurik' design at the Lurik Kartini fashion show at the Sunan Hotel in Surakarta, Central Java, on Friday, April 20. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
A
fashion show of the striped woven material called lurik enlivened Kartini Day at the Sunan Hotel in Surakarta, Central Java, on Friday.
The woven fabric of tenun lurik was chosen as it symbolizes the struggle of rural women in helping to develop the local economy.
“Almost all tenun lurik artisans are women over 60 years old who work while managing their paddy fields,” said Lurik Prasojo Production House owner Maharani “Rani” Setyawan.
With a variety of lurik designs, Prasojo presented its products in three different sessions, from classic and modern to contemporary by combining lurik with a painting made using canting (spouted bowl used to create batik).
“We want to highlight lurik as a fabric, hence the design we offer is very simple. Prasojo has been known to showcase the beauty of lurik fabric and the hardworking artisans in Pedan [district in Klaten, Central Java],” said Rani.
Read also: Bringing back the glory days of 'lurik'
Meanwhile, Sunan Hotel general manager Retno Wulandari said the female artisans of Pedan are worthy of being called Kartini masa kini (present-day Kartini). “Rani, for instance, is a fighter who not only preserves the tradition of tenun lurik in Pedan, but also saved hundreds of artisans who have been earning their living from lurik.”
Prasojo has been producing lurik since 1950. Its production was once halted when it was in the hands of the second generation because of competition from factory-made batik and textiles, but it is now running again, led by Rani as the third generation leader and daughter-in-law of Prasojo owner Wahyu Suseno.
“When [the business] went bankrupt, Prasojo only had 20 weaving machines. But now, the home industry has 146 machines and 200 employees. In Pedan, Rani is considered the savior of lurik,” said Retno.
Other than fashion shows, the event also featured readings of Kartini’s letters by female activists. The hotel also presented an award named Sosok Kartini Milenial (Milennial Kartini Figure) to 23-year-old Triana “Tria” Rahmawati who founded Griya Schizofren, which helps take care of people with mental health illnesses, especially schizophrenia.
“These two women are great women who have inspired many people,” added Retno. (kes)
