ER
THE CHAIRPERSON of the North Sumatra Province Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda), Kahiyang Ayu Bobby Nasution, believes that Ulos, as a rich cultural heritage, is expected to receive increased attention from designers.
In her remarks at the opening of the BTN Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday (07/29), 2026, Kahiyang encouraged the wider global recognition of this traditional Batak woven fabric as a cultural heritage.
“We hope that Ulos will become increasingly recognized internationally, not only in fashion but also in tourism, and among Generation Z,” said Kahiyang.
The traditional Ulos fabric from North Sumatra is now also a focus of attention at the BTN Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026, serving as a key inspiration. The IFW 2026 fashion event, initiated by the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI), carries the theme “Ulos Simetria,” which promotes the Indonesian fashion industry’s balance between tradition and innovation.
At BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026, Ulos served as the primary inspiration for a variety of innovations across sectors, not just fashion.
Poppy Dharsono, President of Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) and Chairperson of the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI), stated that Ulos is not just a traditional cloth from North Sumatra, but a symbol of warmth, balance, harmony, and unity.
“Through this theme, we want to emphasize that the Indonesian fashion industry must continue to maintain a balance between tradition and innovation, between local wisdom and global competition, and between cultural values and the future of the creative industry. This is the spirit that underpins Indonesia Fashion Week 2026,” said Poppy.
The BTN IFW 2026 fashion event, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, Central Jakarta, from July 29 to August 2, 2026, will feature a wider variety of designers and tenants from across Indonesia. The program includes fashion shows, trade shows, talk shows, creative forums, entertainment, and culinary events designed to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable fashion ecosystem. [antaranews]
