Stylish First Ladies at The Asian African Conference: Ibu Fatmawati Soekarno, Ibu Ani Yudhoyono and Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo

The 60^th Commemoration of Asian African Conference in Indonesia ended recently. In 1955, the Indonesian-hosted conference was considered as a big triumph of developing countries in voicing their concerns and needs through a stronger unity among Asian and African nations. In fact, this conference is highly regarded as the embryo of the birth of Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 in Beograd.

While diplomats and international relations spectators view the conference as a success which is emanating from its outcome document namely The Bandung Message, the Declaration on Reinvigorating the New Asian African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) and the Declaration on Palestine, the world’s fashionistas, however, had their eyes on the fashion diplomacy as featured by the First Ladies’ stylish outfits during the conference.

As a remembrance to the historical walk which was conducted at the First Asian African conference in 1955 by the then Indonesian President and First Lady, Mr Sukarno and Mrs Fatmawati Sukarno, along with attending leaders and their respective spouses back then, the 2015 Asian African Conference also featured a historical walk where President Joko Widodo and Mrs Iriana Widodo walked gracefully with other leaders and their spouses in front of Gedung Merdeka, in Bandung. Gedung Merdeka was the venue of the 1955 conference.

Now, let me take you on a walk down the memory lane to closely observe the very best of Indonesian fashion diplomacy as put forward by our charming and influential First Ladies.

In 1955, Mrs Fatmawati Sukarno, accompanied her husband, President Sukarno in hosting the First Asia African Conference. Mrs Sukarno is a vision of elegance as she wore a veil (kerudung) completed with an elegant set of kebaya and hand-painted traditional Javanese dark brown (sogan) colored batik completed with a wiron and a petite hand-bag. Her look in the 1955’s conference echoed the voice of Indonesian women that are confident to develop friendships with people from different nationalities. Despite of the struggle and hardships during initial years of the Republic, Ibu Fatmawati, the First of Indonesian First Ladies, managed to look elegant with her signature kebaya.

Fifty years afterwards, Mrs Ani Yudhoyono accompanied President Yudhoyono to reenact the historical walk with the Asian African leaders including Indian PM Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao and theirs spouses. Ibu Ani gracefully showcased a lovely pale blue long kebaya –compared to Ibu Fatmwatai’s shorter kebaya- matched with a set of Indonesian Batik cloth and sash (selendang) worn over the shoulder. Ibu Ani wore a pale Indonesian Batik sarong and sash which has a Tumpal (center part of her cloth). A lovely set of brooch and a pair of matching beige colored handbag and shoes compliment her overall look. Her kebaya in fact has similar tone as President Yudhoyono’s tie which is a navy blue one. As the spouse of the then Indonesian President, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Ibu Ani’s look voice confidence and modernity as the First Lady of a major emerging economy in 2005.

During the 2015 Asian African Conference’s historical walk, Ibu Iriana is indeed a beautiful vision of modern Indonesian woman as she is dressed in a fuchsia colored kebaya with modernized collar and length –notice the difference with her predecessors’ kebaya-. The fuchsia kebaya looks even more outstanding as it is worn with a slightly darker colored set of Indonesian Batik cloth and sash. While Mrs Yudhoyono chose a more traditional three-tiered brooch as her accessory a decade ago, Ibu Iriana showcased a lovely brooch as the centerpiece of her kebaya together with her set of pearl earrings and ring.  In contrast to her predecessors who opted to carry handbags, a black clutch is nicely held by Ibu Iriana to complete her overall elegant look.

As Ibu Iriana walked together with Chinese First Lady, Mrs Peng Liyuan, dressed in a Chinese-collared pistachio colored tunic and spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister, Mrs Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dressed in a yellow colored Baju Kurung, these First Ladies represent not only their fellow country women but also their countries’ centuries old heritage of traditional textile.

As the hostess of the festive gala dinner of Asian African Summit, Mrs Iriana Widodo opted for a red colored and intricately embroidered long kebaya with Indonesian Batik cloth and sash. A pair of golden colored clutch and shoes complemented Ibu Iriana’s graceful look. Accompanying President Joko Widodo, the Indonesian First Couple welcomed all attending leaders and spouses, including the President of People’s Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping, and First Lady, Mrs Peng Liyuan, who looks elegant in modern version of Chinese signature dress, the Cheongsam.

Viva Indonesian First Lady Diplomacy!

Stay onwards Indonesian Fashion Diplomacy!

Photo sources: Tempo, Instagram Ibu Ani Yudhoyono, Sekretariat Kabinet web.

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