Indonesia Now, created by Dina Fatimah (Eski), is focused on placing top Indonesian design talent on the global stage, highlighting the beauty and richness of Indonesia through the country’s top talent. This NYFW saw seven impressive collections of both modest and modern designs.
Ivan Gunawan is renowned for his boundless creativity and exceptional talent across various artistic domains. Not only is he a celebrated public figure and charismatic presenter, but he also possesses an innate flair for fashion design. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Ivan has truly made his mark in the ever-evolving realms of creativity and fashion.
For Spring/Summer ’24, the Maharani collection, full of fantastic gold lace and embroideries, was inspired by the golden age of the Majapahit empire, one of the greatest kingdoms of ancient Indonesia led by the Empress Maharani, Tribhuawana Tunggadewi, the Queen who succeeded in conquering the Archipelago.
Merdi Sihombing is a creative worker in the field of fashion and fashion accessories who really cares about culture, environment, social programs and sustainable ecosystem development. Merdi is not only known as a fashion designer, but also for his track record in building community empowerment. During his 25 year career, Merdi has always carried & defended the values of fashion ethics and sustainability including diversity in fashion, slow fashion, recycle, reuse, pp-cycle, nature & cultural conservation.
This collection, ULOS, began with inspiration from the challenge of bringing indigenous Batak, North Sumatra-Indonesia, culture to the world stage. Many Indonesians believe that Indonesian culture is something that is out of date and has a lack of competitive value in the modern world, which is simply not the case. ULOS features an innovation which combines the unique traditional ulos patterns and natural coloring with the mindset of street style. The designs felt fresh & vibrant, what Merdi Sihombing coined as “GlamEthnic”, from their gorgeous indigo and fuchsia tones to their impressive recycled fibers from plastic waste in the ocean of Indonesia.
Ayumi takes inspiration from Indonesian culture and pop music to turn their bold ideas into reality through dresses and designs. Making dreams happen, this collection called A Pop of Culture wowed the fashionistas of New York with bright fuschia, golds, limes, and pops of eye-catching designs using chic, simple silhouettes. The brand hopes that Indonesian designers can gain the global recognition they deserve by showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and unmatched creativity.
IKAT Indonesia by Didiet Maulana represents the commitment to beloved Indonesia’s cultural richness and a way to make Tenun Ikat fabric more widely accepted. The range of garments encapsulated and reinvented the ideas of how the young generation in Indonesia is preserving their culture through continuously using the art of weaving, to promote curated local artisans and well-designed fashion pieces.
The Wiron collection highlights the diversity of Indonesia’s traditional clothing silhouettes with detailed pleats on the fabric, an expression of the elegance of Indonesian women with a warm, feminine and romantic flair. Its silhouettes and motif designs were inspired by the beauty of Indonesian culture and the colors of its natural landscapes.
Designer Ghea Panggabean‘s journey is a testament to the interweaving of cultures, passions, and creativity. Born in Rotterdam and educated in Europe, she emerged as a visionary force in Indonesia’s fashion industry creating a renaissance in the realm of the rich Indonesian textiles as her endless inspiration. Ghea Panggabean’s mission was to carve an Indonesian identity into her designs based upon the foundation of the nation’s treasured textile heritage. She introduced a distinctive mark to Indonesia’s fashion scene— the iconic “Jumputan” tie-dyed fabric (Pelangi Palembang cloth). Her designs use strong folklore elements and boho chic styles which have become her trademark in the Indonesian fashion scene.
This New York Fashion Week, Ghea paid homage to the enchanting beauty of Sumba, the strength of Sumba’s women, and the captivating textiles of the land. The MAMULI SUMBA (A Hidden Gem) collection honors the strength of Sumbanese women/weavers, and is an embodiment of Sumba’s spirit with vibrant colors, bold patterns, and the profound stories embedded within Sumba’s textiles woven by the women.
Julia Roberts and Cindy Crawford are amongst those who have worn Ghea Panggabean’s designs.
Amero X Livette – Creative Director, Steven Ronaldo, presented LAVANI by Amero Jewellery this fashion week in collaboration with Livette. LAVANI represents women who are true to their heart, women who share the hope of carrying on the underlying spirit of Borobudur, women who value life in humanity and happiness, whilst simultaneously invoking homage to timeless heritage through alluring jewelry. The 17k gold jewelry is crafted passionately to enhance the beauty of its wearer. Black and rose gold pieces hold an interpretation of echoes from past Indonesian heritage.
Liliana Tanoesoedibjo is able to use her expertise to shine a light on both women’s beauty and success. Her brand Livette extends her appreciation for Indonesian beauty by preserving cultural fabrics and transforming them into chic, modern designs. Inspired by geometric abstract triangle motifs, this Spring/Summer ’24 collection recasts this meaningful pattern as futuristic fashion whilst preserving its value.
Suedeson by Kimberly Tandra X MANDY’S – This S/S ’24 season is Kimberly Tandra’s third at New York Fashion Week as the youngest Indonesian fashion designer. Her collection, Plethora, is both feminine and vibrant with color combinations of red, pink, yellow and orange. Suedeson is proud of their craftsmanship of traditional techniques made from scratch and entirely designed in house.
Tandra tries to inspire others by saying that “turning dreams into reality is challenging, but it’s where big achievements start. The spirit of dreaming brought my brand to New York Fashion Week for the third season. Never stop dreaming.”
The Dream Collection S/S ’23/24, was inspired by Indonesian women who have different styles & dreams. Complete with various styles, such as boots, heels, & wedges, this collection embraces the belief that everyone has their own style to be proud of. Founder, Amanda Sutanto wanted to highlight MANDY’S slogan ‘Style Meets Comfort’. With the variety of styles of shoes on display, one thing they share is the comfort & quality of each product.
New York Fashion week was the perfect backdrop for these exciting Indonesian designers, each bringing a thrilling and engaging point of few, boasting about their incredible country, and cultures that make it so unique and inspiring.
