Bali gears up to become international fashion center

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)