Mode Indonesia Book to Strengthen Local Designer Ecosystem

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — Indonesia's domestic fashion ecosystem is preparing to mark a new milestone with the development of the Mode Indonesia book. This cross-generational documentation initiative is conceived not merely as a historical record, but as a broader strategy to reinforce the identity and competitiveness of local designers within their own country.

Creative Economy Minister, Teuku Riefky Harsya, affirmed that the book carries strategic value in building a stronger foundation for the national fashion ecosystem. By bringing together the work of designers from various eras, the publication is set to become a primary reference that firmly asserts the identity of Indonesian wastra, a traditional textile, and the creativity of the country's designers.

"We see great potential as an important reference in strengthening the national fashion ecosystem. Thorough preparation, from the publishing side through to intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, will ensure lasting benefits for our creative practitioners," said the Minister upon receiving the Mode Indonesia community in an audience in Jakarta on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Unlike previous documentation efforts, senior fashion designer Samuel Wattimena explained that Mode Indonesia is the first book to unite designers across generations under one platform. This step is considered crucial to demonstrating the strength and diversity of Indonesian fashion, a tradition capable of holding its own in both heritage and modern innovation.

"No book on Mode Indonesia has ever brought together Indonesian designers across generations. We hope this becomes the first book that can continue to grow in subsequent stages. We want to show that the diversity of Indonesian fashion is truly extraordinary. We are also planning documentation of film and theatre costumes as part of Indonesia's creative economy ecosystem," said Samuel at the same occasion, as quoted on the Ministry’s official website.

Through this initiative, broader collaboration opportunities are taking shape — from synergies with regional administrations to elevate the standing of local wastra, to expanding documentation into the film and theatre costume sub-sector. The book is also expected to serve as a national reference for young designers seeking to understand the history and vast potential of the domestic fashion market.

The Creative Economy Ministry has committed to facilitating cross-sector coordination, including intellectual property rights (IPR) protection for the designers involved. This framework is intended to ensure that the creative output of local designers carries protected economic value in both the global and domestic markets.

The Mode Indonesia book is scheduled for release in late July 2026 in both soft cover and hard cover editions. Beyond strengthening the domestic market, an English-language edition is also being prepared to introduce the strength of Indonesia's local designers to the international stage, demonstrating that the work of the country's own talents meets world-class standards. ***