Bali set to become Indonesia's fashion capital

By Rita A. Widiadana

NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Bali is quickly becoming Indonesia's fashion capital with the opening of International Bali Fashion Week 2000 on Wednesday.

The event at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua was intricately opened with a traditional Balinese dance called the kecak. Dozens of male dancers wearing poleng (traditional costume) appeared on the catwalk. Accompanied by a Balinese gamelan orchestra, the dancers energetically moved around the stage as dry ice created a mystical atmosphere in the modern convention center, a sharp contrast between tradition and modernity.

Before the kecak dance finished, several models appeared on the runway featuring outfits from participating designers and garment factories in The Color of Indonesian Fashion show.

The event was attended by 100 fashion garment factories, textile industries, jewelrymakers, including Animale, Batik Busana, Bintang Talimas Textindo, Aaron Chang Clothing, Tini's Collections, JM Fashion, Image Collection and many others.

Local designers, such as Guruh Soekarnoputra, Poppy Dharsono, Adrianto Halim, Olga and Musa were also taking part in the event.

Guruh, the youngest brother of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, said this was his first time participating in an international fashion event.

"I am a new kid in the fashion industry, but I am very excited," said Guruh, a well-known music composer and dance choreographer.

Bali Fashion Week, which is being held from July 5 to July 8, is expected to act as a catapult for local designers, garment producers, textile factories, jewelrymakers and other related fashion producers to launch them into the international market.

Mardiana Ika, the chairperson of the organizing committee, said during the opening ceremony that the event was the biggest leap the local fashion industry had made in the fashion world.

"Some Indonesian designers have made their names abroad, but this is an individual achievement. We want to go together and the event will unite us," said Ika, a designer who is famous in Hong Kong, England and Germany.

Vice Governor Ketut Wijana mentioned he was glad Bali was chosen as the venue of this international fashion event.

"Bali has become well-known as one of Indonesia's most prominent textile and garment producers," he said.

"The event will encourage local companies and designers to be more professional and export-oriented. It will also have a positive impact on the island's tourism," he added.

The textile and garment industry is part of the country's economic backbone. Data from the National Export Council has revealed that Indonesia's garment exports reached US$3.8 billion or almost 10 percent of the total non-oil export revenues, which amounts to $38.87 billion.

Pia Alisyahbana, a noted fashion observer and owner of Femina Group magazines, said Bali Fashion Week was a step in the right direction for fostering a greater awareness of Indonesian fashion and design.

"Indonesia has an abundance of talented designers whose work is comparable to those of foreign designers, yet they have to promote their work more," she said.

This ongoing fashion week will facilitate garment producers, designers and buyers, including local and foreign department stores, boutiques and other interested parties.

"Indonesian designers should not only create designs but they have to master the art of trade," said Pia.

She also said that by taking part in international fashion weeks in Singapore, Hong Kong and now in Bali, local designers' products would have better value and increase competitiveness in local and world markets.

Designer Poppy Dharsono added that the event would give an opportunity for buyers to pick up their best choice.

"It is a rare fashion event which brings together all the elements of the fashion industry -- designers, garment producers, the textile industry and potential buyers," said Poppy, who is the chairwoman of the Indonesian Garment Producers' Association.

International Bali Fashion Week 2000 is jointly organized by Yayasan Moda Bali, Yayasan Promosi Jakarta, Panorama Convex, the Bali International Convention Center and is widely supported by local hotels, such as the Bali Hyatt, Begawan Giri Estate, Sheraton Laguna and other related parties.

The event will highlight a series of fashion shows by participants, designer-model talk shows and fashion shows for children.

All fashion activities will be widely covered by local and foreign media, including CNN, South China Morning Post, Women's Wear Daily USA, Book Moda of Italy and Fashion TV L'Original.

On July 5 and July 6, the event will be intended as a business exposition and to allow transactions for potential buyers. On July 7 and July 8, it is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.