The collection was produced in collaboration with well-known batik brand Iwan Tirta Private Collection.

Barbie Batik Kirana was designed and made in Indonesia for Indonesians, Mattel Southeast Asia country manager Ivan Franco said during the collection’s launch at La Moda restaurant in Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Mattel Indonesia president director Roy Tandean explained that Barbie Batik Kirana was the company’s first collaboration with an Indonesian designer.

Last year, Mattel Indonesia produced a Barbie doll dressed in batik exclusively for the company's 25^th anniversary, however, the newly launched Barbie Batik Kirana is the first batik-wearing doll created for sale.

Roy also said that in the past 25 years, Mattel Indonesia had produced around 50 percent of the world’s Barbie dolls, adding that it was a dream to finally produce them dressed in iconic batik outfits.

Read also: Mattel Indonesia to introduce batik-wearing Barbie

The collaboration aimed to support Indonesian children to explore and achieve their dreams to be the country’s next batik designers.

Iwan Tirta Private Collection CEO Widharmika Agung said that the late Iwan Tirta, the brand’s founder, saw himself as a bridge to connect culture and the young generation. The collaboration is in-line with Iwan’s vision and Barbie is seen as a medium to attract today’s youth to love Indonesian culture, particularly batik, he added.

Barbie Batik Kirana currently comes in two outfits, namely Kawung Manis and Sawunggaling Latar Kopi Pecah.

The former illustrates the hope to remain wise and humble and to remember our ancestors. Meanwhile, Sawunggaling Latar Kopi Pecah symbolizes the hope for our leaders to be fair, balance, strong and kind.

Priced at Rp 299,900 (US$19.86), the dolls are available at retail stores as well as Iwan Tirta Private Collection boutiques. (kes)