The Eternal Betawi Cultural Heritage

Dekranasda DKI Jakarta started up the third day of JFW 2013 by presenting a show from their seven members at Fashion Tent. Each designer respectively unwrapped protean of strong Betawi style start from kebaya encim to Muslim wear.

Chama Sjahrir began the show in “Raffinato Ed Elegante” which inspired by the beauty and glorious Islam culture in Alhambra, Spain. The seven Muslim-wears he designed were sartorially made from crepe silk. Ning Herdiningsih from Bu Ning Collection then perpetuated the show by exposing her ready-to-wear collection entitled “Elegant Embriodery”. Gamis dress beautified with diverse flowery printed delectably combined with Toraja printed was what most women would die for. The subtle gold and earthy tone over black was also believed could give a little extra of antique.

“Flower in Jakarta” by Roemah Kebaya exposed various flowery pattern uniquely. The manually 3D embroidery fused with captivating color block over the special silk from Thailand creatively made the flowery pattern noticed.

Jasmine Teas then appeared on a runway with traditional kebaya encim from Betawi. The designer, Inez Mardiana, designed 7 kebaya encim fused with batik and prettified with lenong, silat, Yapong dance, and ondel-ondel prints. Rumah Betawi by R. Emma was also enlivened the show through the combination of kebaya encim and batik tulis largely with the same printed similar to Inez Mardiana.

A playful, chic, smart, and modern collection of bag from Batik Chic entitled “Think Globally, Bag Locally” also paid tribute to the show with its special material from crepe, batik tulis sogan, vivid flowery embroidery, and original reptile skin.

A unique Tionghoa and Dutch cultural blend “Encim Provocation” by Siti Haida dynamically concluded the show with the glamorous kebaya encim creatively reconstructed into immaculately enchanted and elegant night gowns. These creations were embellished with the use of lace tulle, embroidery, chiffon, beads, pearls, and crystal. Suffice to say, Dekranasda DKI Jakarta was evidently pulling the show off with the modernized Betawi.