Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Indonesian designers use traditional textiles in U.S. debut collection at fashion show

Indonesian fashion takes center stage at the Indonesian Integrated Investment: Remarkable Indonesia event Wednesday, July 7. Cita Tenun Indonesia/Indonesian Woven Cloths Association (CTI), with support from the Indonesian Embassy, brings Indonesian’s top designers to showcase traditional textiles in an effort to promote Indonesia as a central market for woven textiles.

The event will be held at the Ritz Carlton, 1150 22nd Street NW, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a reception followed by a gala dinner and fashion show.

Designers Oscar Lawalata and Denny Wirawan launched their collections in the 90s, garnering immediate attention for their modern interpretations of traditional Indonesian clothing, without sacrificing their cultural identity. The designers integrate traditional textiles, fabrics such as tenun and ikat, natural dyes, and detailing to unite the two worlds. In doing so, the designers support communities to engage textile weavers across Indonesia.

Lawalata is the recipient of the British Council International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) Fashion Award 2009. He is noted for resurrecting cultural references through modern fashion, creating powerful fashion statements.

Denny Wirawan, who has an “ethnic ready-to-wear label”, equally claims several prestigious awards. Among them, the Fashion Designer Contest organized by the Femina Group (one of Indonesia’s leading fashion magazines), nominated for Designer of the Year by NOKIA & A+ Magazine, and was selected as one of the 5 Best Indonesian Fashion Designers by JAKARTA POST. He is also a member of CTI. His latest collection: “A Fascinating Journey of Sumatera” explores his fascination with the hand-woven blongsong cloth. The fabric, produced in South Sumatra, has unique designs similar to ikat with combined lines, checks, and range of colors and shades from soft pastels to bright and light tones.


RSVP to Kadrieka Maiden at kmaiden@nediamconsultants.com or 240-446-8148.