Four Seasons of Stylish Indonesian Batik and Ikat Ensemble

Hey there fashionistas!

One of the biggest misconceptions of wearing the vibrant colored Indonesian textile, including Batik, Tenun, Ikat, etc, is that such textile is only wearable during spring and summer season, either in Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

Well, my aim through this article is to showcase that such conception is incorrect and tremendously out of date.

Since the past few years, there are notable Indonesian designers which have been crafted wearable Indonesian textile not just for the hot summer season but also for the rainy autumn and snowy winter seasons. In short, these items are called all seasons’ necessities.

There are many examples of these creations, yet the most profound are accessories, e.g. elegant collection of bags, wallets and shoes, handsome sets of ties and scarves from silk, wool, cashmere or a blend of fabrics, and denim.

While cotton and silk made Indonesian Batik blouses and shirts look splendid during Spring and Summer in the world’s famous resorts from Capri to Gold Coast, Indonesian Batik bags and shawl are guaranteed to turn heads when they are worn during those cold Autumn and Winter days from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Thredbo.

To name a few of the very best of Indonesian creations, categorized based on fashion item, are:

·      Cashmere and/or Wool based fashion creations:

1. Bin House hand-painted Indonesian Batik shawl by Josephine Komara (Obin) (http://www.binhouse.com/) (Facebook page: Bin house). While the range of color is endless, the exclusive is aimed to be one-of-a-kind which means one shawl for one customer! Bin House’s shawls are not only designed to keep one’s warm but also stylish round the clock.

Wearing my Indonesian Batik parang patterned pure cashmere shawl by Bin House in Paris in 2013. The Batik patterned and taupe colored leather bag is a creation of Envy Me leatherwork, an Indonesian fashion house specialized in genuine leather ware (read below).

2. Populo’s wool-based hand-painted Indonesian Batik warm coats and oh-so-cool outfits are the ones to turn heads during fashionable trips hitting the boutiques along Rue du Fauborg St Honore and Place Vendome in Paris (Facebook page: Populo, instagram: Populo)

In Summer 2014, welcoming Mr Bai Soemarlono in Sydney, who together with Mr Joseph are the creative duo behind the famous Populo Batik. Populo Batik is well known for its modern reinterpretations of classic patterns into 21^st century outfits with monochrome and neutral tones. Adoreee! Location: Queen Victoria Building in Sydney.

·      Indonesian textile bags:

1. Novita Yunus is the creative designer behind Batik Chic which offers the most extensive collection of bags, sandals and accessories all crafted from Indonesian textile, from last century’s signature Batik (Kopi Tutung, Tiga Negeri, Peranakan, etc) to the most current linen dresses for women with Geometry patterns embroidery from Kalimantan. My personal favourite is Batik Chic’s J bag which is named after JET truly, for sure! Batik Chic exclusive clothing, bags and accessories can be found in Batik Chic Gallery and Galeries Lafayette (Pacific Place Mall) in Jakarta, and Batik Chic Red Gallery in Surabaya (Facebook account: Batik Chic, instagram: batik_chic)

Spring is incomplete without wearing a matching short-sleeved Indonesian Batik shirt and tote bag, all designed by Novita Yunus for Batik Chic. Location: The Garden next to Sydney University’s Quadrangle.

·      Genuine leather bags and accessories with a twist of Indonesian textile:

1. Envy Me Leatherwork (Facebook account: Envyme Leatherwork, Facebook page: Envyme, instagram: Envymeworld), headed by designing couple Ariadin and Novita Villanueva, is the best address to find Indonesian-made exquisite leather ware including bags, clutches/pouches and wallets with signature Indonesian Batik patterns. If you want smaller accessories that make a fashion statement, go get yourself their smart phones leather cover which is both so trendy and practical! The designing duo’s initial brand is Envy Batik (Facebook account: Envy Batik/Novita Villanueva, Facebook page: Envy Batik, instagram: envybatik) which offers lovely Batik bags, dresses and accessories.

Proudly wearing my JET bag by Envy Me in front of the Sydney University’s Quadrangle, my campus as well as one of Australian most famous landmarks.

·        Cotton and/or silk based Indonesian textile outfits:

1. Kreasi Dongengan, by Marsha Siagian a graduate from London College of Fashion, provides a beautifully cut dresses and shirts which sit perfectly on one’s body. Facebook account: Kreasi Dongengan, instagram: Dongengan.

My Mom wears a Batik dress designed by Marsha Siagian for Kreasi Dongengan. My Ikat shirt is designed by Eddy Betty for Edbe Batik.

2. Nita Seno Adji is the smart designer behind the most sought after full hand-embroidered bolero and coats. Facebook account: Juanita Senoadji.

With mbak Nita Seno Adji, the talented designer whose hand-embroidered coats and dresses with Indonesian Batik patterns are the most sought after fashion items among fashionable ladies in Jakarta nowadays.

3. Indonesian Ikat swag cardigans and airy dresses by Didiet Maulana (http://www.theikatindonesia.com/), instagram: Didiet Maulana.

Showing off my Ikat jumper by Didiet Maulana, the brain behind Ikat Indonesia who is specialized into crafting Ikat and Batik elegant outfits. Look at my outfit, I combine the Indonesian Ikat jumper with Jenny Kee’s black and white shawl and a blue Prada bag, the result is simply fab! Photo is taken during my a recent winter trip to Mount Wellington, Tasmania.

4. Lulu Lutfi Labibi’s signature Lurik-made (lurik: Indonesian cotton based textile with stripe patterns) edgy and asymmetrical dress and harem pants to hit the clubs of St Tropez or Gold Coast during balmy Summer nights (Facebook account: Lulu Lutfi Labibi, instagram: Lulu Lutfi Labibi)

Wearing Lulu Lutfi Labibi’s eponymous asymmetric shirt to meet the one and only Heidi Klum in Sydney last Autumn.

5. Oscar Lawalata, one of Indonesian prodigies in fashion, offers a handsome range of Indonesian Tenun coat and dresses perfect for those windy Spring and Autumn days as well as crisp linen shirts for Summer outings (Facebook account: Oscar Lawalata).

During summer break in 2010, wearing Oscar Lawalata’s terracotta colored linen with Batik lining to a dinner in Gemma Ristorante, Capri, Italy.

·      Silk, wool and/or cotton blend based shawls/scarves:

1. Based in Bali, Tenun Imam provides the ubiquitous Indonesian Tenun (Handwoven) Rangrang shawl by Tenun Imam (http://www.tenunimam.com/). Tenun Imam’s creations is simply divine. Click its homepage and you’ll see what I mean.

Mom elegantly wears the Tenun Imam’s rangrang patterned silk shawl on top of Jenny Kee’s JK fuschia cardigan with Dad on a recent winter trip to Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania.

2. A harmony of peonies and chrysanthemums comes into life on the beautifully assembled Batik shawls by Bayu Aria (Facebook account: Bayu Aria, instagram: Bayuaria).

Peonies oh peonies, ain’t you the grandest dame of all!!!

3. Shawl and Co brings the lovely designs of Batik shawl (Facebook page: Shawl and Co, instagram: Shawlnco).

Spending the Autumn weekends by putting on my Indonesian Batik wool and cotton shawl by Shawl and Co. Location: on the pavement in front of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.

Now, do not be afraid to play a bit of mix and match with your Indonesian textile attire.

One thing to keep in mind if you do so is to decide which part of your attire that you wish to flaunt as the center of attention. Oh yes fashionista, just like a dining table needs a look-at-me centerpiece, our attire also requires a similar one.

During Summer break in Italy a few years ago, for instance, when I would like my colorful Batik shirt to turn heads, then I would wear a monochrome or neutral colored pair of bags and sandals to complement the shirt and surely not to outshine it. Whereas, during those gloomy and foggy days of Autumn/Winter, I ensure that fashionable eyes are set on my look by clutching on a handsome Indonesian Batik or Ikat pouch or cashmere-based Batik shawl with bright color.

Trust me, fashionista, the result is truly fab! Not only that you will achieve an ethnic look, but also an outstanding signature look of yours which is not a copy of others trendsetters.

In a nutshell, one can wear Indonesian textile based fashion ensembles for all season in each possible event. Regardless of the season, Indonesian textile cloths and accessories will shine above the rest!

Stay onwards Indonesian designers and fashionistas!

Add me in Instagram (@JETJAKARTA), Facebook page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy) and twitter (@jonesey4eva) for frequent updates on fashion and my encounter with the fashion world’s leading people.

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