Indonesian Batik and American Fashion Industry

Batik and American Fashion

In Indonesian Batik has become a lifestyle. Not only in the form of traditional fabrics, but also in the form of anything in all areas of life. At home, for example, pillowcases, sheets, tablecloths, to tableware can also use that motif. Thus arguably batik has become part of a global round lifestyle.
Many world fashion designers now have adapted the Indonesian Batik in their fashion collection. They do not take “how to” batik technique, which has been recognized as a UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity of Indonesia since October 2, 2009, but his motives. Some of the designers or labels that use this motif was Dries Van Noten, Nicole Miller, Burberry Prorsum, and Diane von Furstenberg.

Indonesian Batik at Paris Fashion Week by Dries Van Noten – (c) Style

Belgian designer Dries Van Noten, whose use motif for the collection Spring / Summer 2010 a display of Paris Fashion Week. If you look at pictures of fashion collections, it appears that the designer once known as the “print style” utilizes multiple motifs Indonesia.
Besides batik, he also uses ikat and songket He used these motifs for printing on cotton or satin. Van Noten also combine motif with each other with a playful style.

Ikat and Songket at Paris Fashion Week by Dries Van Noten – (c) Style

Dries Van Noten also uses the motif ikat and songket weaving, which are embodied in the combination of dress, pants, blazers and outerwear.
Meanwhile, the American designer Nicole Miller at Resort Collection 2009 issued a clearly visible using batik motif cloudy or in indonesian called “Mega Mendung“. He took the theme of “Bali“, as he claimed to have received a gift from his assistant fabric print motif that runs out to travel to Bali.

Batik Mega Mendung by Nicole Miller at Resort Collection – (c) Style

Impression of Bali itself only appears in the chess motif commonly used Balinese men. Batik “Mega Mendung” was combined with a pattern of lines and bali chess motif, and appears in the form of dresses, kaftans, tunic, hat, or simply to be an accent.
Outside of the top designers attempt to use ethnic batik cloth, several Hollywood celebrities have also contributed substantial in popularizing batik print. Many of those who did had been seen wearing clothes with batik motifs. Among Lenka, Adele, and Adam Clayton (U2 base, which wear while performing at Somerville Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, United States), as well as Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson, Reese Witherspoon, and Nicole Richie.

Pictures of celebrities wearing batik – (c) People

Pictures of celebrities wearing batik to other evidence that batik has been pervasive in the international world. Even the Indonesian cultural products such as woven cloth began to steal the show. In the world fashion stage as New York Fashion Week or the Milan Fashion Week, the word “tenun”(weaving) is referred to as a “ikat”(bundle), proving that this word has been recognized as an international language.
Although generally the designers do not understand the actual technique of making batik, batik motif or that they use an Indonesian batik motif, we should be grateful. The designers will definitely take time to recognize and understand the origins of batik motifs they use. Moreover, motifs such as batik or ikat print is not only from Indonesia. Africa also has a batik and ikat, such as one that is often worn by Nelson Mandela.