North Sumatra Provincial Government Promotes Ulos Through Regional Textile Usage
The Chairperson of the North Sumatra Provincial National Crafts Council (Dekranasda), Kahiyang Ayu, stated that the local government is striving to promote Ulos cloth through the regular use of regional textiles. Speaking at a media briefing during Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026 in Jakarta on Sunday, Kahiyang noted that through fashion events, Ulos is becoming more widely recognised and its various styling methods are being showcased. She emphasised that the fabric is suitable for all age groups, from the elderly to Gen Z.
Kahiyang mentioned that within the North Sumatra Provincial Government environment, there is a practice of wearing regional textiles every Thursday or Friday. “In North Sumatra, on Thursdays or Fridays, we wear textiles from North Sumatra, whether it be Ulos or songket weaving. We are continuously promoting the traditional attire found in North Sumatra,” she said. This practice is intended to ensure that Uprint Ulos becomes increasingly well-known to the public as a signature textile of the province.
She also noted that the government is strengthening the promotion of Ulos through fashion platforms such as IFW. According to Kahiyang Ayu, Ulos possesses a diversity that reflects the cultural richness of various regions in North Sumatra, including Ulos from Karo, Mandailing, Tapanuli, and Toba, each with distinct functions and usage customs. Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of preserving the cultural values inherited from ancestors, noting that while promotion is key, the manner of wearing the cloth must remain respectful.
Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026 is officially being held at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC), Senayan, Central Jakarta. Now in its 14th year, this annual event, initiated by the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI), aims to provide a platform for the fashion sector by bringing together hundreds of designers, brand owners, fashion houses, artisans, and MSMEs to strengthen the Indonesian fashion ecosystem. This year, IFW carries the theme “Ulos Simetria” to assert that the Indonesian fashion industry must maintain a balance between tradition and innovation, local wisdom and global competition, and cultural values and the future of the creative industry. Ulos is presented not merely as a traditional cloth from North Sumatra, but as a symbol of warmth, balance, harmony, and unity.