The creations of Desirianingsih Haryati Parastri, a batik designer from Manokwari, West Papua, has successfully reached the international market, specifically the market of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, being showcased at the International Indonesia Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MF) on May 4, 2024.
Desi explained that IN2MF is a festival showcasing modest fashion show organised by Bank Indonesia (BI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs to raise the image of batik as Indonesian heritage fabric (wastra).
“I am grateful to be selected as one of the designers facilitated by Bank Indonesia to participate in IN2MF,” said Desi in Manokwari, Sunday (12/5/2024).
The event proved that Papuan batik was able to captivate the hearts of fashion lovers in Malaysia. Her batik dress design themed “Streetwise Sophistication” received rave reviews.
“The theme is inspired by street style clothing that is relaxed, contemporary, modern, contemporary and easy to wear,” said Desi.
Desi hopes that her work can motivate young Papuans to wear batik typical of her region. Batik has often been considered old-fashioned wear.
“Batik from Papua is much liked because of its unique image. At the fashion show, I displayed Papuan cultural motifs such as Papuan shields, tifa, Papuan carvings, and the Thousand-legs House,” she explained.
After IN2MF, Desi was inundated by orders from Malaysia, for both batik cloth and typical Papuan batik clothing. The products are now beginning to penetrate foreign markets.
Desi admitted that her achievements could not be separated from BI’s role in continuing to nurture entrepreneurs and MSME actors in West Papua.
Since being mentored by BI in 2017, Desi admitted that she has continued to be accompanied and assisted by BI in developing her business. Initially, she started a sewing course business. Later becoming a designer and producer of Papuan batik special.
“In fact, I had to re-brand my business from Asrie Modesta’s sewing course to become a manufacturer and designer of Batik Cassowary thanks to MSME training facilitated by BI. That training allowed us to improve and expand,” she said.
Due to her hard work and support received, Desi’s Papuan batik design can now be known more widely, not only in Indonesia, but also abroad. She has also become the only designer from Papua who has managed to penetrate the national level fashion show by promoting Papuan batik. Papuan Batik, both unique and rich in cultural significance, is now increasingly known and in demand around the globe.
https://gokepri.com/batik-papua-go-international-desainer-manokwari-tembus-pasar-kuala-lumpur/
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