Images of Bali

Text by Rita A. Widiadana, photos by Murdani Usman

SANUR, Bali (JP): For hundreds of years, Bali has long been renowned as a producer of the elaborate and glamorous songket, woven textile.

At present, its reputation is shifting from a producer of traditional apparel to the country's most prominent modern garment producer.

Hundreds of small to large scale firms are creating trendy and quality fashion items from dresses and sportswear to leather products and jewelry. Last year, the paradise island of Bali hosted the first Bali International Fashion Week at Sheraton Nusa Dua Convention Center in the famous Nusa Dua holiday resort.

This year, the province again hosted the second Bali Fashion Week featuring dozens of Indonesian designers, garment producers, jewelry makers and international buyers from the United States, European and Asian countries, Australia and Canada.

Held at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel from May 9 through to May 13, the Bali Fashion Week was testimony to the emergence of new, fresh and talented designers. Local designers cleverly grabbed the golden opportunity to attract the attention of international fashion critics and potential buyers and to engage in global networking -- important factors needed to penetrate the international fashion market.

For Indonesian designers and fashion-related companies to expand their wings, they must frequently take part in international-scale fashion fairs and parades.

Yet, many designers skipped this opportunity thinking that such an event was just a waste of time and energy.

If the majority of fashion people shared these sentiments, then Indonesia will likely become envious of its neighboring countries' achievements. It is high time for all-fashion related parties to stand up and to show their talent otherwise they will be excluded from the active and innovative international fashion world.