Fashion show spotlights women’s empowerment in Indonesia

Batik, synonymous with Indonesia, particularly from the 1980s – when the textile was promulgated to be the dress code in every state and official function – was showcased on Thursday in Dubai.

Jointly hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai and the Indonesian Ladies in Dubai, under the chairmanship of Madame Neni Lesmana, wife of Consul General Denny Lesmana, the catwalk was also held since among the delegation at the November 18 to 20 “Middle East Organic & Natural Halal Trade Expo Dubai” at the Dubai World Trade Centre, was fashion designer Siti Nurhidayah.

Nurhidayah began sketching in childhood. Able to translate her artistry by making fabrics, particularly the batiks that depict the environment of her hometown of Bojonegro in East Java Province – her own canvas – utilising her own-formulated dyes, she eventually has been helping capacitate 10 people with disabilities (PWDs) – among 30 staff – towards their interests and independence.

At the opening ceremonies, Consul General Lesmana underlined the importance of inclusivity.

Moreover, before guests that included Diplomatic Spouses in Dubai officials, he emphasised the significance of Indonesian women to the continuing growth and strength of the G20-member: “In Indonesia, women occupy vital roles across various aspects of life; from domestic to social, cultural, educational, and even security sectors, achieving ranks such as generals in the military and police. Countless Indonesian women have made their mark in various fields.”

Adding that among the empowered Indonesian women were the fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri (2001-2004), October 2014 to October 2024 Foreign Affairs minister Retno Marsudi, and current Indonesian Parliament chairman Puan Maharani whom he described as a “seasoned politician,” Lesmana pointed out that many have become ministers and representatives to international fora: “In elections, every contesting party is required to nominate 20 per cent women as candidates.”

“To combine the batik creations from the Bojonegoro delegation with the Indonesian Ladies in Dubai and the Consulate General’s Social and Cultural Information, this fashion show specifically highlights women’s empowerment in Indonesia. It serves as an inspiration that women anywhere in the world can achieve accomplishments and fulfil their dreams using their own abilities.”

On the side, guest fashion designer Nurhidayah said that three of her 10 staff with disabilities “already have been able to start their own businesses.”

She is grateful for the assistance extended by the local government under Regent SE Adriyanto and the Regional National Craft Council (DEKRANASADA)-Bojonegro Regency, whose chairperson is Dian Adiyanti Adriyanto.

Dian Adriyanto who led the expo delegation to Dubai said: “We are a non-profit organisation as old as the national organisation formed 44 years ago. It is our first time to take part at the expo because we want to make sure that when we go internationally, all our 6,000 handicrafts and 5,600 food small-and-medium entrepreneurs are ready to face stiff competition.”

Their Expo participation was brought about as well with the fact that while Bojonegoro is the source of 30 per cent of oil production in Indonesia, this commodity is finite and “we do not want to solely depend on it.”

The Dubai-based fashion designers who have established their own brands in the UAE were 33-year resident Susie Rewita into hand-painted silk designs; 11-year resident Desi Sari Dewi who had operated her own tailoring and fashion business back home since 2000; and 18-year resident Ira Ahmad who earned her Interior Design degree from an institute in the emirate in 2007.

Indonesia’s batik industry has grown by leaps and bounds since gaining popularity in the late 1800s to 1900s, being a “sought-after” by the affluent and influential. From the 1980s, it has been seen flaunted in the runways of international fashion cities namely New York and Milan, according to the library of the consulate general.

With Java Province as the leading batik centre while 2,951 across the country are batik producers, precursors are 47,000 SMEs majority led by women, employing 200,000.

The textile and its products have primarily been exported to the USA, Japan, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. Total export value in 2023 was at $590.91 million down from $744.79 million in 2022.