Local designers who are starting to gain global recognition

On 2 August, Natalia Kiantoro’s collection ‘Dreamer’ was featured on Vogue Arabia and the front page of Not Just a Label website. The designer is also featured on Vogue Italia under Vogue Talents along with Harumi Davita, designer behind Bobababe, and Lotuz. Public Culture has been featured on Hypebeast and Highsnobeity, boosting the brand into a whole new level of cool among Indonesian teens.

Last year, Rinaldy Yunardy, a fashion veteran known for his exquisite accessories, became one of three designers chosen by 20th Century Fox to promote The Greatest Showman in Indonesia. His design then won Best Accessories award from World of WearableArt (WOW) in New Zealand. It wasn’t the first time Rinaldy Yunardy’s works were featured on the global scale. Katy Perry and Mariah Carey had worn his pieces before.

When it comes to Hollywood, Peggy Hartanto’s dresses and jumpsuits have been worn by a long list of celebrities, such as Chloe Bridges, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, and Gwen Stefani. Publications like Vogue and Refinery29 have featured her works. The designer is also one of four Asia nominees of 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize in the category of women’s wear.

On the Indonesia heritage list, we have Biyan whose collection are available at Net-a-Porter, 24Sèvres, Matchesfashion, and many other retailers all over the world. The designer has been in business since 1985 and it seems like his brand will be a legacy for Indonesians. Sapto Djojokartiko, who launched his eponymous brand in 2007, is starting to gain recognition overseas. The designer’s collection has been sold at Moda Operandi.

There is also Tex Saverio, whose pieces have been worn by Lady Gaga on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar US, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia and on stage during her Born This Way tour. Lady Gaga also trusted Saverio to create her outfit for the video campaign of her ‘Fame’ perfume. The singer in her Instagram post revealed that she wore Saverio’s pieces all the time.

Perhaps one of the most celebrated moments is when Bill Gates and Nelson Mandela wore Indonesian Batik pieces by Iwan Tirta. Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and Ronald Reagan also joined the list of world figures who have been spotted in batik.

Two months ago, batik designers Oscar Lawalata, Denny Wirawan, and Edward Hutabarat had the honour of exhibiting their collection at the UNESCO International Exhibition, ‘Batik for The World.’

With the increasing number of media outlets to expose and showcase works, TFR hopes more Indonesian designers will set their marks in the global arena.

The list above is only highlight of several Indonesian designers who have made it overseas. We do know that there are many others designers who have made their mark. We will keep on working to add the list.