Indonesia Aims to Become Global Modest Fashion Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is positioning its local wisdom and traditional textiles (wastra) as the cornerstone of its identity in the global modest fashion arena. Through the collaboration of IN2MOTIONFEST and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week (JMFW) 2026, more than 300 designers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are being encouraged to maximize the uniqueness of regional wastra to deliver sustainable, globally competitive modest fashion.

Director of the Sharia Economics and Finance Department at Bank Indonesia (BI), Ndari Surjaningsih, said this integration aims to reinforce the halal value chain in the modest fashion sector. Efforts include mentoring wastra artisans and business operators, improving product quality, and expanding market access to international levels.

“Standing on one national stage, we from each institution have agreed to collaborate with the same goal, that is to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global modest fashion hub,” said Ndari in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

According to her, industry strengthening through this collaboration will be carried out by mentoring modest fashion business operators and wastra artisans across various regions through BI’s representative offices. The initiative also covers product quality enhancement and education on modest fashion trends.

Meanwhile, Senior Trade Analyst at the Directorate General of National Export Development (DJPEN) under the Ministry of Trade, Ari Satria, said the collaboration is directed at expanding the reach of Indonesia’s modest fashion industry. This synergy aims to directly connect local businesses and brands with buyers and international trade networks.

“This synergy is expected not only to boost the competitiveness of Indonesian modest fashion products in the global market but also to open up transaction opportunities, business cooperation, and sustainably expand export market access,” said Ari, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that strengthening market access is crucial as the government pushes modest fashion development from the creative side, while also ensuring national production capacity and industry standards can meet global market demands.

Within the IN2MOTIONFEST X JMFW collaboration, business strengthening will be facilitated through zoned exhibitions, Wastra Business Matching, and buyer programs designed to open wholesale and retail access to international markets.

More than 300 designers, brands, MSMEs, and members of Indonesia’s Sharia Creative Industry (IKRA) will participate in a series of fashion shows and trade shows. The products showcased will optimize Nusantara wastra and local wisdom as both an identity and a differentiator for Indonesia’s sustainable modest fashion.

Global connectivity will be further reinforced by featuring 10 international guest designers from countries including India, Malaysia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

On the industry capacity front, the event series includes the Indonesian Modest Fashion Trend Forecasting 2027/2028, masterclasses, and workshops. An Industry Forum & Summit will also be held to raise product standards and prepare manufacturing for larger-scale operations.

BI has been developing the modest fashion sector since 2018 through the IKRA program, which covers business capacity building, product quality and innovation improvement, ecosystem development, and market access expansion.

IN2MOTIONFEST X JMFW will take place from October 14–18, 2026, in Hall A and Cendrawasih at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan, Jakarta, as part of the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) series.

This year’s event carries the theme “Indonesia’s Integrated Modest Fashion Ecosystem: Transforming Modest Fashion Brands into Global Business.” Focused on ecosystem acceleration, the activity integrates government and stakeholder support from upstream to downstream segments. ***