Ivan GunawanIntricate traditional fabrics illuminate modern wear at Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2013.

The four-day affair is a bash of traditional fabrics. Diving into their roots, some designers kept the renowned batik while exploring native fabrics from various regions.

Putu Aliki explored her hometown’s legacy by using Balinese tenun (woven fabric). She combined basic black with fresh turquoise between the strong woven fabrics, and light and transparent material of tulle and lace. The woven fabric was used as a detail on waistlines and hemlines.

Thomas Sigar focused on pinawetengan woven fabric from Minahasa, North Sulawesi, while Lia Mustafa explored the streetwear trend of Yogyakarta by showcasing a collection of batik, tie-dye and woven lurik, a mix of jersey and spandex.

Representing a modern look, prominent Indonesian designer Anne Avantie displayed on Saturday her first-ever ready-to-wear brand, Anne by Avantie. The collection was a lot simpler then her usual glamorous kebaya, the traditional women’s attire for wedding or evening occasions.

Fenny MustafaDevi Angelyna featured a unique and versatile collection that included reversible vests and miniskirts. The miniskirt with front zipper can also be used as a cape.

In its second year, 208 designers and 503 brands are participating in the event, which closes today, at the Jakarta Convention Center in the Senayan area. Last year, 200 designers and 400 brands took part in the event.

Malik Moestaram delved into East Nusa Tenggara’s tenun and Tasikmalaya’s embroidery for his romantic and renaissance-like collection adorning colors such as maroon, red, green, blue, white and black.

Meanwhile, Ivan Gunawan chose mandar woven fabric from Polewali, West Sulawesi. He applied bright colors of woven silk in geometric and plaid patterns, turning them in to beautiful cocktail dresses and eclectic menswear.

Household names like Irna Mutiara, Dian Pelangi, Tuti Adib and Fenny Mustafa took part in the Muslim wear parade. Fenny stole the limelight with an image of Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on a long skirt.

Anne AvantieMeanwhile, Nieta Hidayani introduced betawi batik from Jakarta in her collection. Nieta applied pucuk rebung and tumbak betawi motifs on the fabric, chiffon ceruti and organdy to produce asymmetric silhouettes in bright colors like blue, neon pink, orange and green.

IFW president director Ali Charisma said the fashion parade, which runs until Sunday, was aimed at boosting the national economy through the fashion industry, which is why fashion week was not just some event, but was considered a national movement.

“We’d like to create better partnerships —among the textile industry, make-up as well as designers. Hopefully, one day fashion will be a window for Indonesia to the world,” said Ali.

Besides local designers, IFW, in cooperation with World Fashion Week, also featured international designers Addy van Der Krommenacker of the Netherlands, Samuel Cirnansk of Brazil, Melinda Looi of Malaysia and Camilla Wellton of Sweden.

In today’s closing events, IFW will showcase more tenun from Nusa Tenggara and ethnic urban flair from Lenny Agustin. Modern designs will be presented by Poppy Dharsono and Samuel Cirnansck as well as avant-garde charms by Sebastian Gunawan and Christina.