Batik Goes Global

A designated Intangible Cultural Heritage, batik has seen its popularity boosted thanks to the ‘Batik for the World’ exposition at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

More than a hundred pieces of Indonesian batik curated by the Indonesia Batik Foundation, Rumah Pesona Kain, and Oscar Lawalata Culture have coloured the main hall of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Running from June 6 until June 12, “Batik for the World” was a grand fashion exposition featuring the creative work of Oscar Lawalata, Edward Hutabarat, and Denny Wirawan, and attracted thousands of staff working at the bureau plus those who pass through the area daily. The inauguration, with 24 brand-new batik collections by the three fashion designers, made the headlines of the international press and was widely covered by prestigious fashion and lifestyle publications.

A pet project of Oscar Lawalata, it took two years for the Riau-born design artist to actualise his concept—a grand batik happening right on the doorstep of UNESCO, the organisation that officially designated Indonesian batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. “Oscar had been working on the project for about a year when he came for support from Djarum Foundation,” said Renitasari Adrian, Program Director Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, during a phone conversation right after the inauguration in Paris.

Two fashion designers with impressive track records working with Indonesian batik were then added to the team: Edward Hutabarat and Denny Wirawan. In the ongoing process, another name was added— jewellery designer Eliana Putri Antonio, by way of her design studio EPA Jewel, who brought a unique touch and an insightful perspective. “With a strong team of artistic individuals and support from stakeholders in the batik industry, we are ready to show the world that Indonesian batik is indeed an intangible cultural heritage of humanity that is alive and developing,” added Renitasari.

Batik is Oscar Lawalata’s greatest inspiration in a life dedicated to the world of fashion. For this special occasion, he presented an array of exquisitely designed batik from five areas in East Java. The variants included hand-made batik from Madura, Surabaya, Ponorogo, Trenggalek, and Tuban in a collection of exclusive prêt-a-porter de luxe. Edward Hutabarat, who is well known for rejuvenating the kebaya, focused on state-ofthe-art batik motifs from coastal Java called Mega Mendung and Sawung Galing. Denny Wirawan, who is working with the Djarum Foundation in revitalising the batik cottage industry in Kudus, Central Java, displayed a collection of uniquely tinted hand-painted fabrics that captured the hearts of fashionistas when it was paraded at the Fashion Gallery during New York Fashion Week 2016.