Governor Affirms North Sumatra's Readiness to Become Indonesia's Fashion Hub Through Traditional Textiles
North Sumatra is ready to become one of Indonesia’s fashion regions.
Medan (ANTARA) — North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has affirmed the province’s readiness to become one of Indonesia’s fashion centres through the development of traditional textiles, known as wastra.
Bobby said the cultural wealth of North Sumatra is a major asset for driving the regional economy while strengthening the national fashion industry up to the international level.
“We are ready to become one of Indonesia’s fashion regions, because we are confident that the cultural heritage left to us all today, particularly in North Sumatra, can lift the economy of the people of North Sumatra and boost the national economy in the fashion sector,” Bobby stated after attending the closing of Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026, themed ‘Ulos Simetria’, in a written statement issued in Medan on Monday.
The Governor believes that combining traditional ulos motifs with the touch of modern fashion designers will be a strong draw on the world’s fashion stages.
According to him, IFW 2026 marks the starting momentum for expanding collaboration between North Sumatra and the international fashion industry.
He also expressed appreciation to Indonesia Fashion Week and all parties who have collaborated to introduce and promote Indonesian crafts and textiles, particularly those from North Sumatra.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government, he said, is ready to continue supporting cultural promotion through the textile sector.
“Hopefully this is an opening door for us from North Sumatra to collaborate further with the wider world, with the international community,” he said.
Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 was held in Jakarta from 29 July to 2 August 2026, featuring numerous designers and tenants from across Indonesia, with programmes including fashion shows, trade exhibitions, talk shows, creative forums, entertainment performances and culinary events.
“We are also ready to collaborate to introduce our culture, particularly in the textile sector that exists in North Sumatra,” Bobby said.
Beyond textiles, the Governor also highlighted the culinary richness of North Sumatra, which is widely known across Indonesia.
“As for the cuisine of North Sumatra, particularly Medan, people say there are only two flavours. The food in North Sumatra has just two tastes — delicious and very delicious,” Bobby quipped.
Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said she was impressed by the strength of the ulos-weaving tradition during her visit to the Lake Toba area.
In her view, ulos is not merely traditional cloth but part of the daily life of the Batak people, preserved across generations.
“What left the deepest impression on me was seeing how ulos remains alive as part of people’s everyday lives. Behind every sheet of ulos are the skilled hands of Batak women who patiently keep the tradition alive,” she said.
The Minister considers the sustainability of local traditions to be the main strength in building the character of a tourist destination.
“These traditions continue to be handed down, practised, and become a source of pride across generations. For me, this is what gives a destination a character that is not easily imitated. In tourism, that character is the foundation of destination branding,” she added.
Widiyanti hopes Indonesia Fashion Week will continue to be an event that inspires the world while attracting tourists to visit Indonesia.
“Not many countries possess a textile heritage as diverse as Indonesia’s. Even more special, we have designers capable of translating that cultural heritage into works that keep evolving and win appreciation on the international stage,” she said.
Poppy Dharsono, Chairperson of the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs Association and President of Indonesia Fashion Week, said the theme ‘Ulos Simetria’ carries the meaning that progress must go hand in hand with the preservation of cultural values.
Tradition and innovation, she said, are two mutually reinforcing forces in building the future of Indonesia’s fashion industry.
“For five days we have witnessed the best creativity of the nation’s children, the meeting of ideas and innovation, and collaborations that strengthen Indonesia’s position as one of the fashion powers in the region and the world,” Poppy said.