A Batik and Tenun Dress Code for IFW 2017

“Simplicity, good taste and grooming are the three fundamentals

of good dressing and these do not cost money” – Christian Dior (Couturier)

I like to think that each fashion week is a wake up call to its attendees. It is the time to thoroughly plan the attire for attending the numerous shows in the fashion week. When I received a number of show invitations at Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2017 from 1 to 5 February 2017, I began to organize my choice of wardrobe for the highly anticipated show in my home country.

Batik and Tenun are my preferred choices for the IFW 2017. Both fabled textiles of Indonesia perfectly embody the very essence of Indonesian long standing tradition of fashion and meticulous craftsmanship. Also, in accordance with the theme of IFW “Celebrations of Culture”, Batik and Tenun would make an excellent dress code for entire fashion week.

Find out JET’s fab choice of outfits throughout the IFW by scrolling the following images:

Opening/First Day (February 1, 2017)

“Taman Arum Sunyaragi” is the name of this traditional Batik shirt from Cirebon. This shirt belongs to Mr Jos Tandjung, my Father. I am lucky that my Father and I share similar measurement so we can always borrow one another’s attire. Lucky son, heyyy JJJ

This Batik shirt holds a special place in my heart as I looked for the cloth in Cirebon and then I asked Dian Pelangi to design the shirt for Father. I asked for a clean-cut shirt so that the pattern would be the focus of the shirt and not the other way around.

I believe this shirt has represented what I wanted my outfit to embody on the first day, an attire that is classy yet contains something sparkly about it. The elegant pattern of Taman Arum Sunyaragi is obviously the sparkling element of the shirt.

JET feels so youthful and handsome among these talented young dancers from Banyuwangi. They were the ones who performed the Opening Act of IFW 2017.

(L-R):

Mr Erdan, Mr Defrico Audy, Mrs Henny Tandjung, Mrs Sari Percaya (spouse of Director General for East Asia and Pacific), JET, Mr Rudy Chandra, Mr Dana Duryatna.

With the always charming Mrs Annisa Pohan-Yudhoyono, Indonesian fashion and Batik icon. Mrs Yudhoyono wears a dress by Alleira Batik (IG: @alleira_batik).

With Mr Jaimie Sortino, Australian designer who presented his beautiful collection at the Opening of IFW 2017, and Mr Handy Hartono.

With the elegant Madam Nicola Watts, spouse of Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.

The festive parade at the opening.

Second Day (February 2, 2017)

As I was scheduled to host the Mini Seminar on Fashion Diplomacy on the second day of IFW, I intended to wear a special yet practical outfit. Ecstatic to wear Handy Hartono’s jacket, crafted from Eastern Nusa Tenggara traditional Tenun (IG: @handy.hartono).

It would take several months, even years, for hand weavers to conclude Tenun cloth in Eastern Nusa Tenggara. Look at how Handy Hartono made a simple jacket design which strongly complements the beauty of hand-woven Tenun.

Cousins that shop together stick together, don’t you agree?!!!

With my Batik lovers cousins, Mrs Thea S. Gunharie and Mrs Yanti Utari.

With Madam Lista Damayanti Djani, the spouse of Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Representative to United Nations in New York in front of the designed dress by Nita Seno Adji.

Happy moment with Madam Tri Tito Karnavian, spouse of Chief of National Police and Madam Coreta Kapojos-Putut, Chair of Pernik Nusantara (IG: @coreta_louise).

Torang Sitorus (IG: @bagasnitorang) presented a handsome collection, entirely crafted from Ulos, hand-woven traditional textile from Tapanuli.

Third Day (3 February 2017)

After traditional Batik and Tenun, I chose to dress up in a contemporary designed Batik shirt from Gee Batik. Designed by Mr Sugeng Waskito, Gee Batik is known with its abstract-cum-traditional patterns. Poleng patterns, which are distinctively known with their black and white checks, are being combined with colorful palette of abstract paintings.

With Madam Caecilia Legowo (spouse of Secretary General of Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry/Designate Ambassador to Australia), as we hunted for the most elegant designs at the IFW 2017.

With the utterly elegant and talented Ms Sari Nila (IG: @sarinila16), the Official MC for IFW 2017.

And surely we need to fuel our energy before attending shows!

Having lunch with a dear friend and treasured sister, Madam Rennie Wibowo Tavares (spouse of Director General for ASEAN Cooperation).

With H.E. Madam Prianti Gagarin Djatmiko Singgih, Senior Ambassador in Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry and one of Indonesia’s most prominent Batik Icons.

Mr Sugeng Waskito with the models displaying the newest collection of Gee Batik (IG: @geebatik).

Closing Day (5 February 2017)

On the closing day of IFW 2017 which fell on a Sunday, JET wore a crisp white linen shirt with hand-stamped Batik application. Designed by Dana Duryatna for “Priya”, this shirt is frankly one of my favourite shirts now. Airy and comfortable to wear is what I always look for in a shirt. Worn with a pair of skinny denim and espadrilles, et voila, the Dapper Weekend look is achieved!

Here is JET with Mr Dana Duryatna (IG: @danaduryatna), the designer who is the talk of the town.

With Mr Jos and Mrs Henny Tandjung, my amazing parents.

Mr Caren Delano, the well-known stylist and designer.

Ethereal white color and intricate hand embroidery as presented by the gown of Mr Rudy Chandra (IG: @rcrudychandra).

Mr Defrico Audy presented an elegant collection, including this hand-embroidery cape. (IG: @defrico_audy).

Embroidered jackets and outfits for 21^st century mens are offered by Mr Ariy Arka for Abee Indonesia (IG: @ariyarka).

Fabulous fur presented by Ivan Gunawan (IG: @ivan_gunawan).

The “Savanna Muria” show focusing hand embroidery made by craftsmen in Kudus featured four notable designers, namely Ivan Gunawan, Rudy Chandra, Defrico Audy, Ariy Arka.

Handy Hartono presenting his newest collection of Eco print as worn by beautiful models (IG: @handy.hartono).

Nita Seno Adji presenting sporty attire crafted from Tenun (hand woven) originating in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara (IG: @nitapradipta12).

Ps. Catatan Kecil untuk Rekans Diplomat dan Sahabats Desainer:

Pada saat menghadiri pagelaran pekan busana, hendaknya dapat dicermati beberapa panduan busana sebagai berikut: Pertama, sesuaikan pilihan busana dengan tema pekan busana serta dengan dresscode. Jangan mengenakan sesuatu yang bertentangan dengan tema acara atau pun dresscode. Kedua, untuk menghadiri peragaan busana desainer tertentu, pilih opsi busana yang mewakili kepribadian sahabats. Jika trend terkini sesuai dengan tipe badan dan kepribadian sahabats, silahkan dicoba. Jika tidak, jangan memaksakan diri untuk mengenakannya. Ketiga, jika anda memiliki tabungan di bank sebesar tabungan bintang Hollywood maka sah saja membeli busana baru setiap menghadiri pagelaran busana. Tetapi jika tidak, ikuti yang JET lakukan. Ingatlah bahwa pekan busana tidak pernah mewajibkan para pengunjung untuk membeli busana baru. Kenakanlah busana yang pernah anda kenakan sebelumnya dengan yakin dan percaya diri, pasti anda akan tampak sangat menarik. Ingatlah wejangan Eyang Christian Dior bahwa kesederhanaan, selera yang bagus dan perawatan diri adalah tiga kunci utama penampilan yang baik dan anda tidak perlu membayar apa pun untuk mendapatkan ketiga elemen tersebut. JET believes that it is always more honourable to be ourselves than pretending to be others. Be confident to lead as a trendsetter and not a trend follower.

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