RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is seeking to strengthen the international profile of its traditional textiles by positioning fashion as a tool for cultural diplomacy and creative economic growth. Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, discussed the initiative during a meeting with fashion designer and entrepreneur Ivan Gunawan at the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta, Wednesday 29 July 2026.

The discussion focused on expanding the global reach of wastra Indonesia's traditional textiles, including batik through collaboration between the government and the fashion industry. The ministry believes fashion can serve as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary design while opening new opportunities in international markets.

Fadli Zon said Indonesia's rich textile traditions have strong potential to reach new audiences, particularly in regions that remain largely untapped. "To go international, we can promote batik and other traditional textiles to different parts of the world. African countries, for example, offer great potential because many traditional African textile patterns share visual similarities with Indonesian batik," he said.

The minister added that inviting international designers to engage with Indonesian textiles could strengthen cultural exchange and introduce the country's fashion heritage to broader global audiences. He noted that such collaborations would help position Indonesian wastra as an important element of the nation's cultural diplomacy.

Fadli also highlighted the importance of intellectual property as a valuable asset for designers creating new batik motifs and textile patterns. According to him, protecting creative works not only encourages innovation but also generates economic opportunities for artisans and local communities involved in traditional textile production.

The Ministry of Culture expressed support for Ivan Gunawan's upcoming fashion showcase, describing it as an opportunity to encourage younger generations to appreciate and wear Indonesian cultural heritage. Fashion exhibitions, the ministry said, can connect traditional craftsmanship with contemporary trends while expanding public awareness of Indonesia's cultural identity.

Ivan Gunawan welcomed the collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and emphasized that fashion can become an effective educational platform for introducing Indonesia's diverse textile heritage. "As part of this year's Independence Day celebrations, we plan to create a public fashion installation so students, fashion schools, and the wider community can experience the beauty of Indonesian wastra," he said.

The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to promoting batik and other traditional textiles as enduring symbols of Indonesia's cultural identity. By combining heritage preservation, creative innovation, and international collaboration, the government aims to strengthen Indonesia's cultural presence while expanding opportunities for its creative economy on the global stage.