Major project: Initial ideas

For this term major project, we are going to create digital portfolio in our own progression route. When thinking about concept ideas for my project, I know I wanted to use this chance to bring my dream into reality. I've always amazed at how Wastra, a traditional Indonesian clothing, can make people feel powerful and beautiful in it. With full of beautiful floral pattern embroidered with beadings and lace, Kebaya grow confidence of the person wearing it. However, it's sad to know that Kebaya is only worn during formal occasion or religious ceremony. Zevanya on the interview with liputan6.com stated that 'For the younger generation, Wastra is always associated with something ancient and sacred, which become an obstacle for young people to love their cultures' (Winda Syifa Sahira, 2024).

                                    

                                        

Indonesia's Wastra

 Ever since I was little, I've always imagine 'what if people could wear Wastra in their everyday life' and feel the power and confidence it brings. Now, as more Indonesia's young generations realize the urgency to preserve Wastra from only being known as a history, campaign of 'berkain' starts to emerge and becoming a fashion trend today. 

Berkain Campaign

One of the people who share the influence of 'berkain' campaign to Indonesia's young generations and brings inspirations for me to come up with this idea is Rania Yamin, who is known as the modern-day Javanese Princess. 'The 20-year-old is the daughter of KRMH Roy Rahajasa Yamin, an heir to the Mangkunegaran Palace and Indonesia’s hero, Mohammad Yamin.' (Club, 2023). Born into the royal family, Rania feels responsible to preserve the nation's culture and introduce it to the young generations. She's famous for integrating Wastra in her everyday looks. It's mesmerizing that she's able to wear Wastra in a gen z's style not as an old-fashion and traditional clothing.

Rania Yamin Maheswari

Behind the popularity of 'berkain' campaign, the 'remaja nusantra' community worked hard to help young people to feel confident in their culture, and normalize wearing 'Wastra' in everyday life. The community is build by Indonesia's young people who see the importance of preserving the nation's culture in modern life. This community are run by creative gen z, where their sense of style are influenced by current fashion trends. 

These inspired me to create my digital portfolio that promote Indonesia's 'Wastra' in modern fashion. I'm planning to create a digital flipbook using the app 'paper' that compile my 6 design of integrating 'wastra' in couture collection. Since the final media is digital, I'm going to design my collection by drawing digitally on procreate. In the flipbook I'm going to discuss the customer profile, inspiration, trend board and collection overview. With this project, my goal is to break the stereotype that wearing traditional cloth are consider as old-fashion and lame. I want to show that traditional cloth can be fun and wearable in any occasion.

References

Club, H.R. (2023). Meet Rania Yamin, a modern-day Javanese Princess! [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@herreadingclub/meet-rania-yamin-a-modern-day-javanese-princess-93696060bd83.

Indonesia, W. (2024). Wastra Indonesia London – We supply beautiful authentic handmade Indonesian textiles & home accessories. [online] Wastra-indonesia.com. Available at: https://wastra-indonesia.com [Accessed 16 Oct. 2024].

Winda Syifa Sahira (2024). Melestarikan Batik dan Wastra Indonesia di Kalangan Generasi Muda Lewat Kampanye dan Motif Baru. [online] liputan6.com. Available at: https://www.liputan6.com/lifestyle/read/5496692/melestarikan-batik-dan-wastra-indonesia-di-kalangan-generasi-muda-lewat-kampanye-dan-motif-baru?page=6 [Accessed 16 Oct. 2024].