Homegrown praise counts for Iwan

JAKARTA: Presidents, dignitaries and even 007 in the form of visiting UNICEF ambassador Roger Moore have worn his designs, but Iwan Tirta says home is really where it's at.

The 68-year-old batik designer received the Putra Bangsa 2003 award from Bank Bumiputera on Wednesday. Given to "native" sons and daughters who have excelled in their respective fields, past winners include musician Elfa Secioria, fashion designer Carmanita and choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo.

"The greatest recognition is that which comes from one's own people. If we're not respected by our compatriots, well, what is there to say?"

At an age when others choose to live out a quiet retirement, the designer continues to stick to his motto of "reinventing" himself, debuting a line of tableware bearing batik motifs this week. This latest offerings is on sale from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19 at his studio at Jl. Panarukan 25, Menteng, Central Jakarta. -- JP