“Indonesia is a major participant in FOMA. We got two designers coming from Indonesia, Sav Lavin and Batik Chic,” Gandhi Creations director Sonia Sadiq Gandhi told a group of Indonesian journalists in Sydney on Monday.

“I am very, very excited to have them on board,” she added.  

Savira Lavinia, the designer behind SAV LAVIN, is known for her knack in experimenting with unconventional materials such as handmade molded rubber fabric, neoprene and mesh in her designs to name a few. The ESMOD graduate combines traditional handcraft methods and couture techniques in her ready-to-wear collections.

Having established Batik Chic in 2009, Novita Yunus is no stranger to fashion enthusiasts. Her passion to keep Indonesia’s heritage alive has delivered various batik products for all ages. Novita also actively promotes vintage batik, in an effort to preserve traditional motifs. 

Read also: Novita Yunus honors Batik Day with photo exhibition, fashion show

FOMA, pioneered by Gandhi Creations Pty Ltd, is a platform aimed at delivering “a diverse combination of international, local and indigenous Australian and refugee designers as they share with audiences a holistic, contemporary depiction of Australian culture and fashion”. 

Sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australia Korea Foundation, the organizer of FOMA collaborated with foreign embassies to feature the various cultures of diaspora communities in Australia.  

“Basically, the concept is working with foreign embassies and consulates in showcasing cultural and fashion diplomacy,” Sonia said. 

The show will feature ABC journalist and fashion anthropologist Charlotte Smith along with local designers such as indigenous Australian designer Colleen Tighe Johnson and Australian designer of Afghan heritage Anilla Seddeqi.