Bali gears up to become international fashion center

JAKARTA (JP): The wealth of traditional Balinese textiles, natural beauty, art and culture are widely known throughout the world.

But the tourist island wants to add its attractions, and become one of the world's fashion centers in the process. It is holding the Bali International Fashion Week 2000 at the Bali International Convention Center next month, from July 5 through July 8.

The first of its kind to be held in Indonesia, the Bali Fashion Week will bring together fashion designers, garment and textile factories, silver and leather designers and other related fashion producers with local and international buyers.

Designer Mardiana Ika, chairperson of the organizing committee, hoped the event would represent a great leap forward for the local fashion industry.

"We have many talented designers and garment producers who offer high quality fashion items comparable in quality and designs to those produced by foreign designers," explained Ika, who runs fashion lines in Hong Kong and Bali.

Lack of promotion and marketing strategies have so far hampered Indonesian designers and garment producers from entering international markets.

"Indonesian designers must be able to sell themselves and their creations and to convince buyers to pick up their products," she said.

Potential buyers are expected to travel to Bali, examine the items on display and make orders.

Bali was chosen as the venue for the event due to fears that foreigners are now reluctant to travel to Jakarta.

Despite recent riots in Bali and Lombok, foreigners keep traveling to Bali.

"We want to attract buyers to the island and do businesses here. So they don't come as tourists, but as frequent business people," she maintained.

Participants at the Bali Fashion Week include designers Poppy Dharsono, Musa, House of Prayudi, Animale, Khrisna, Buana Talimas Textile, Sybra Syra, Tini's Collection, Dwipa, Bina Cipta Textile, Everest Textile, Ayu Orchid, JM Fashion, Pacific Express, Mayang Bali, Busana Indah and many others.

A number of jewelry producers such as Runa Jewelry from Bandung (West Java) and Mario Silver from Bali are also taking part in the event.

"In times of crisis, we have to work harder to produce good quality fashions and textiles, otherwise buyers will look to neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines," she said.

Fashion and textile products are still flourishing despite the economic crisis, which has meant sharp increases in textile prices.

Ministry of Industry and Trade data shows that sales of Indonesia's textiles and textile products reached US$7.79 billion in l998. The most important markets for Indonesian producers are Europe, the United States and Japan.

"Through this fashion week, we can grab potential buyers and at the same time improve the image of Indonesia, Bali in particular, as a tourist destination and as a new fashion center," Ika said.

Bali Fashion Week will be held every year, in lines with the Singapore and Hong Kong Fashion Weeks.

"This is the first time that Indonesia will hold such an international fashion event therefore we need support from all parties," Ika begged.

The organizing committee, she said, has received assistances from the Bali provincial government, ModaBali Foundation, Jakarta Promotion (Jakprom), textile factories and other organizations.

Garuda Indonesia and local hotels are also planning to throw their weight behind the event. Ika hoped Garuda could provide significant airfare discounts for participants, buyers and the media.

"It is the best time for us to show to the world that we are surviving despite the crisis. We need wide media coverage both from local and foreign press institutions," she said. (raw)